title: [Chorea gravidarum].
abstract: Chorea gravidarum is a rare maternal complication during pregnancy. Like the better known chorea minor it shows extrapyramidal symptoms with involuntary movements, lack of coordination, slurred speech and psychic disorders. The neurological state is normal except for a loss of muscle tone. The symptoms most commonly begin in the first trimester of pregnancy and usually resolve spontaneously after 2-3 months. The maternal mortality lies below 1%. In the case of subjectively disturbing symptoms anticonvulsive and sedative therapy with benzodiazepine or neuroleptics may be indicated. Etiological factors including rheumatic fever, chorea minor, hormonal, psychic and autoimmune disorders are discussed. Elective termination of the pregnancy is not indicated. The presented case report shows a chorea-like situation beginning in the ninth week of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Gynäkologie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Schweiz.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schnarwyler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hammer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002819:Chorea / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*
vernacular_title: Chorea gravidarum.