Lupus-associated chorea in childhood.

Chorea associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in only 28 patients. The clinical and laboratory features of these cases are reviewed here, along with those of a 7-year-old boy who, we believe, represents the youngest child reported to date. In approximately half of these 29 individuals, most of whom were children, chorea preceded other manifestations of SLE. The age range and clinical characteristics of lupus-associated chorea were not appreciably different from those of Sydenham's chorea and most of the patients in whom chorea developed before other manifestations of SLE were initially assumed to have Sydenham's chorea. Systemic lupus erythematosus should especially be considered if chorea begins in the older child or is associated with a persistently elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.