Choreic Movements as Manifestation of Hyperthyroidism in an Adolescent at the Onset of Graves’ Disease

Authors

  • Valeria Calcaterra Pediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy and Department of Pediatrics, “V. Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
  • Marco Burrone Department of Pediatrics, “V. Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy and “L. Sacco” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  • Dario Dilillo Department of Pediatrics, “V. Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy and “L. Sacco” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  • Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti Department of Pediatrics, “V. Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy and “L. Sacco” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2311-8687.2020.08.5

Keywords:

Chorea, Graves’ Disease, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid.

Abstract

Objective; Nervous system dysfunction, including irritability, emotional lability and hyperkinesia are the signs and symptoms frequently observed in hyperthyroidism; chorea and/or choreoathetosis have also been reported in adults and rarely in pediatric age.

Case report; We described the case of a 12-year-old boy with bilateral choreiform movements of the arms at the onset of the Graves’ disease. The patient was treated with metimazole and chorea disappeared with euthyroidism.

Discussion; Hyperthyroidism is to be considered an unusual cause of chorea in childhood. Every child and adolescent with choreiform movements should be examined also for thyroid function. 

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Published

2020-06-06

How to Cite

Calcaterra, V., Burrone, M., Dilillo, D., & Zuccotti, G. V. (2020). Choreic Movements as Manifestation of Hyperthyroidism in an Adolescent at the Onset of Graves’ Disease. International Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 8, 30–32. https://doi.org/10.12974/2311-8687.2020.08.5

Issue

Vol. 8 (2020)

Section

Articles