St. Vitus Dance (Noun)
Meaning
Chorea occurring chiefly in children and associated with rheumatic fever.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The patient was diagnosed with Sydenham's chorea, also known as St. Vitus' dance, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements.
- St. Vitus' dance is a manifestation of rheumatic fever, which can occur in children and adolescents after a group A streptococcal infection.
- The symptoms of St. Vitus' dance include rapid, involuntary movements of the face, arms, and legs, as well as difficulty with coordination and balance.
- In the past, St. Vitus' dance was often associated with a poor prognosis, but with modern treatment, most children are able to recover fully from the condition.
- The exact cause of St. Vitus' dance is still not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to an autoimmune response triggered by the streptococcal infection.