Chorea gravidarum: a case report

Chorea gravidarum is a rare syndrome in pregnancy. The clinical picture is of extrapyramidal symptoms such as involuntary movements, lack of coordination and slurred speech. Neuroleptics or benzodiazepines can be used for treatment. When antiphospholipid antibodies are shown to be present, corticosteroids, and sometimes aspirin, are added to the treatment. Movement disorders can also be associated with an increased central dopamine level. In this report, we present the case of a patient with chorea gravidarum in whom an etiologic factor has not been observed. We treated the symptoms with dopamine-blocking agents such as haloperidol. We believe that, if chorea gravidarum is not accompanied by other etiologic factors (such as antiphospholipid antibodies), there is no elevated risk for the mother and the fetus.