[How is Sydenham's chorea treated in Rio de Janeiro?].

BACKGROUND

Sydenham's chorea is the most common cause of acquired childhood chorea in Brazil. Thus it is relevant to know how physicians treat those patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice patterns of Sydenham's chorea among pediatricians.

METHOD

A descriptive study was undertaken using a questionnaire among specialists and emergency pediatricians who work in public hospitals of Rio de Janeiro district.

RESULTS

74% of the physicians informed not to use any severity scale; 81% informed to always prescribe benzathine penicillin; 64% informed to begin pharmacological treatment for all patients; and Haloperidol was the most remembered drug among all physicians.

CONCLUSION

Physicians do not routinely use severity scales in follow-up of choreic patients; there is a tendency of irregular prescription of benzathine penicillin by younger doctors; and 28.3% prescribe only haloperidol.