Chorea as the presenting clinical feature of primary antiphospholipid syndrome in childhood

Neuropediatrics. 1999 Apr;30(2):96-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-973468.

Abstract

Three patients, aged five to 16 years, developed chorea as the only or main clinical manifestation of primary antiphospholipid syndrome. In two cases, complaints were self-limited five to eight months after onset. In one patient, the clinical course was complicated by valvulitis. Under corticosteroid treatment, chorea disappeared and cardiac involvement stabilised. Primary antiphospholipid syndrome is a probably under-recognised differential diagnosis of choreatic syndromes in childhood. Assessment of anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant should be an obligatory part of the diagnostic work-up of such patients. Early diagnosis of primary antiphospholipid syndrome may improve clinical management and prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / blood
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / therapy
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chorea / etiology*
  • Female
  • Heart Valves / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Valves / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / blood
  • Male
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor
  • Aspirin