Table 2.

Case definition and reporting instructions for CAPSS study

Surveillance case definition

Children and young people aged 0–16 years that have or have had a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Sydenham’s chorea (eg, by paediatrician) and present to the reporting clinician for the first time within the current episode of care with psychiatric symptoms.

Reporting instructions to child and adolescent psychiatrists

Please report: Children and young people aged 16 years or under who have or have had a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Sydenham’s chorea (eg, by paediatrician) and present to you for the first time within the current episode of care (regardless of whether this is their first contact with CAMHS or not) with one or more psychiatric symptoms. Chorea is defined as a state of excessive, spontaneous movements, irregularly timed, non-repetitive, randomly distributed and abrupt in character. These movements may vary in severity from restlessness with mild intermittent exaggeration of gesture and expression, fidgeting movements of the hands, unstable dance-like gait to a continuous flow of disabling movements. Sydenham’s chorea is frequently a clinical diagnosis. Laboratory confirmation of streptococcal infection (eg, by throat swab) provides supportive evidence of Sydenham’s chorea but the absence of investigation does not preclude clinical confirmation. Cases may fall into any of these categories: Suspected Sydenham’s chorea: cases presenting with chorea but where no clear diagnosis has yet been made. Confirmed Sydenham’s chorea: where a diagnosis of Sydenham’s chorea has been made (eg, by paediatrician) and alternative causes have been excluded.

CAPSS, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.