Intravenous Immunoglobulins as Effective Treatment in Sydenham's Chorea

Children are at risk of developing an involuntary movement disorder after streptococcal throat infections. Not all children are affected and the severity is individually variable. Affected children have alteration in their behaviour and mood and can become quite compromised in their activities of daily living. The condition is believed to be related to the body having an over efficient immune response to the infection and some of the antibodies made in response to the infection also "attack" centres in the brain controlling movement and mood. Treating these children with immunoglobulins, which "mop up" the antibodies may reverse or improve affected children. This study hopes to clarify this.