Information about PANS/PANDAS
Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) is a syndrome involving psychologic and neurologic symptoms that appear shortly after an infection or other trigger, known or unknown. The American Academy of Pediatrics developed criteria that can be helpful in diagnosing this syndrome, including the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder or severe eating restrictions, along with symptoms such as anxiety, sensory regulation problems, movement abnormalities, sleep/mood disorders, or urinary problems.
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) begins after a group A streptococcal infection (for example, “strep throat”) and is a subset of PANS. Patients have a rapid onset of severe symptoms, most commonly occurring before the onset of puberty. The most common criteria include obsessive-compulsive or tic disorders along with neurologic abnormalities.
If you are a concerned parent of a child with abrupt behavior changes, talk to your healthcare provider to be evaluated and for possible treatment options.
For additional information, please check these links below.
Resources:
- NIH PANS and PANDAS: Questions and Answers from the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): Clinical Report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, a professional organization of pediatricians.
- PANDAS Syndrome from the Cleveland Clinic.
- PANS and PANDAS: Sudden Onset of OCD Symptoms from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
