Diseases

Huntington’s Disease (Chorea)

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Chorea is an irregular, rapid, uncontrolled, involuntary, excessive movement that seems to move randomly from one part of the body to another. The affected child often appears fidgety or restless and unable to sit still. The word “chorea” comes from the greek word for dance as the quick movements of the feet or hands are comparable to dancing.

The disease, known also as sydenham’s chorea (not to be confused with huntington’s disease, a hereditary disease of adults that is sometimes called huntington’s chorea), is usually, but not always, a complication of rheumatic fever.
This condition is a very rare genetic disorder. It’s characterized by misshapen red blood cells. It causes neurological abnormalities and affects brain functioning. Chorea for this condition commonly involves abnormal arm and leg movements, shoulder shrugs, and pelvic thrusts. It can also involve rapid, purposeless movements of the face.
People with this form of chorea can also exhibit dystonia. This is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of the mouth and face, such as:
teeth grinding
involuntary belching
drooling or spitting
lip and tongue biting
difficulty with speech or communication
vocal tics, such as grunting, involuntary speaking, or slurred speech