Abstract
1. The frequency of Chorea Gravidarum at the Royal
Maternity and Simpson Memorial Hospital, Edinburgh
is 1 in 920.
2. It is the same condition as Sydenham's chorea in
children, modified slightly by the pregnant state
3. Both Sydenham's chorea and Chorea Gravidarum may
be allergic conditions.
4. In Chorea Gravidarum this allergic reaction is
brought about by pregnancy lowering the patient's
resistance, so that a smaller dose of sensitising
protein is necessary than would be the case in
the non- gravid state.
5. The sensitising protein may be either the streptococcus
rheumaticus or the scarletinal streptococcus
6. Psychogenic factors play a part in the aetiology
of chorea.
7. The mortality, both maternal and foetal, is high
but might be lowered with adequate care in the
ante-Natal Clinics, more attention being paid
particularly to th treatment of neurotic patients
and to the removal of any possible foci of infection.
8. That Chorea Gravidarum and Sydenham's chorea are
identical is neither proved nor disproved by a
study of the brain pathology, as in most cases
there are no pathological findings.
