Chorea gravidarum

Sex and gender differences in movement disorders: Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and chorea

Sex and gender-based differences in epidemiology, clinical features and therapeutical responses are emerging in several movement disorders, even though they are still not widely recognized. In this chapter, we summarize the most relevant evidence concerning these differences in Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and chorea. Indeed, both sex-related biological (hormonal levels fluctuations) and gender-related variables (socio-cultural and environmental factors) may differently impact symptoms manifestation and severity, phenotype and disease progression of movement disorders on men and women. Moreover, sex differences in treatment responses should be taken into account in any therapeutical planning. Physicians need to be aware of these major differences between men and women that will eventually have a major impact on better tailoring prevention, treatment, or even delaying progression of the most common movement disorders.

Movement disorders in pregnancy

Movement disorders in women during pregnancy are uncommon. Therefore, high quality studies are limited, and guidelines are lacking for the treatment of movement disorders in pregnancy, thus posing a significant therapeutic challenge for the treating physicians. In this chapter, we discuss movement disorders that arise during pregnancy and the preexisting movement disorders during pregnancy. Common conditions encountered in pregnancy include but are not limited to restless legs syndrome, chorea gravidarum, Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and Huntington disease as well as more rare movement disorders (Wilson's disease, dystonia, etc.). This chapter summarizes the published literature on movement disorders and pharmacologic and surgical considerations for neurologists and physicians in other specialties caring for patients who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

Chorea gravidarum: Case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of chorea gravidarum and conduct a review of the published literature on the treatment for this condition, and on maternal and fetal prognosis.

METHODS

Case presentation of a 16-year-old primiparous patient admitted to a Level III public hospital at 8 weeks of gestation complaining of involuntary head and limb movements and right lower limb hyperreflexia lasting three days. The patient had a history of Sydenham chorea. Treatment with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines was given to manage symptoms, and with benzathine penicillin to address the etiology, achieving control at 14 weeks. Treatment was discontinued at 35 weeks and the patient went on to have normal delivery at 39 weeks. A search was conducted in the Medline via PubMed, UptoDate, Medscape and Google Scholar databases using the terms "Pregnancy and Chorea Gravidarum". The search was limited to case reports and case series or review articles published between 2000 al 2019.

RESULTS

Seven case reports and one review of the topic were found. In 4 of the 7 cases, treatment was based on haloperidol, benzodiazepines and chlorpromazine. Penicillin was used in one of two cases with a history of Sydenham chorea. Maternal and fetal prognosis was good in 6 of 7 cases, there was 1 case of intrauterine growth restriction.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of gestation chorea is primarily expectant and the goal is to reduce symptoms. Maternal and fetal prognosis is good.