What are PANS and PANDAS?
“PANS/PANDAS are misdirected immune responses that result in acute onset of OCD, tics and/or restricted food intake, along with two neuropsychiatric symptoms in seven categories.”
– Definition of PANS & PANDAS from aspire.care/what-is-pans/definition
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Definitions:
“PANS is an acronym for Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. PANS is a clinical condition defined by the sudden encephalitic-like onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and/or severe eating restrictions and at least two (see list below) concurrent cognitive, behavioral, or neurological symptoms. PANS has multiple etiologies and disease mechanisms. PANS and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep and is one type of PANS) require a clinical diagnosis based on a child’s medical history and physical examination. Symptoms cannot be better explained by another diagnosis. There is no age restriction for a PANS diagnosis.
PANS diagnostic criteria are based on the abrupt onset of OCD and/or eating restrictions, with concurrent symptoms in at least 2 of 7 neuropsychiatric categories:
- Anxiety
- Emotional Lability and/or Depression
- Irritability, Aggression, and/or Severe Oppositional Behaviors
- Behavioral (Developmental) Regression
- Sudden Deterioration in School Performance
- Motor (tics) or Sensory Abnormalities
- Somatic Signs and Symptoms, including Sleep Disturbances, Enuresis, or Urinary Frequency
PANS can be triggered by infections, metabolic disturbances, and other inflammatory reactions. Infectious triggers include upper respiratory infections, influenza, recalcitrant sinus infections, mycoplasma pneumonia, and Lyme borreliosis, among others.”
Each site below includes their own PANS/PANDAS PROVIDER LISTS!
Best Websites for Information on PANS/PANDAS
Learn more about PANS/PANDAS in these videos:
A video describing the basics of PANS and PANDAS, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. (19 min)
A documentary about six families and their struggle to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. (1 hour: 25 min)
A documentary about five families and their struggle to overcome the misdiagnosis of PANS/PANDAS as mental health disorders, and their frustrating journey to find providers who can accurately diagnose and treat the condition as immune dysfunction. (52 min)
Kids suffer from debilitating psychiatric episodes caused by strep throat. (9 min)