CHOREA GRAVIDARUM : A Study Of Psychogenic Factors Therein, With Report Of A Case

Approximately 950 cases of chorea occurring in pregnancy have been studied statistically, to determine what part psychogenic factors may play in its production. Of these, 137 seem to possess evidence of psychogenesis and in these cases, the incidence of previous chorea, rheumatism and cardiac disease is significantly less than in those cases where evidence of psychogenesis is lacking. These findings suggest that chorea gravidarum should not be regarded as an entity, but instead as an expression of a constitutional "anlage" which may be precipitated by various factors. Such factors may be infection, toxicity, or nervous influence originating from acute emotional traumata and psychic conflict relating to pregnancy. A case is reported in which two attacks of chorea are described—the first following an acute infection of the rheumatic type—the second being associated with great conflict relating to pregnancy.