A CNS disease, often of insidious onset but of finite duration, characterized by involuntary, purposeless, nonrepetitive movements and subsiding without neurologic residua. The disease is more common in females than in males and in childhood. The incidence ratio is even more pronounced in adolescence, as affected populations are composed almost entirely of females. It does not typically occur simultaneously with arthritis but occurs frequently with carditis. The patient develops rapid, purposeless, nonrepetitive, involuntary movements that disappear with sleep and may involve all except the ocular muscles.
Voluntary movements are abrupt, with impaired coordination.
Facial grimacing is common. In mild cases, the patient may appear clumsy and may have slight difficulties in dressing and feeding. The neurologic examination shows no defect in muscle strength or sensory perception except for an occasional pendulous knee jerk. The course is variable and difficult to delineate precisely because of its insidious onset and gradual cessation. A month or more may elapse before the movements become intense enough to make the patient or parents seek medical attention.