EDUCATing Our COmmunity About PANS/PANDAS

What is PANS/PANDAS?

Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are neuro-immune disorders in children resulting from strep or a similar infection. These conditions can cause a severe onset of OCD symptoms, emotional dysregulation, eating restriction, emotional lability, and other symptoms.

PANS/PANDAS Stats:

What is PANS/PANDAS?

90% of children receive a PANS/PANDAS diagnosis between ages 4-13

1 in 200 children are conservatively estimated to be affected with these disorders

81% of disorders result from strep infections

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New to DIAGNOSIS?

PANDAS stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome associated with strep. PANS is associated with a variety of different infections. What this means is that PANDAS is an infection-induced autoimmune condition that disrupts normal neurological functioning, caused by inflammation of the brain. This results in a sudden onset of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Motor and/or Verbal Tics. It causes a variety of additional symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, urinary problems, anorexia/food restrictions, and mood swings/lability.

Please refer to the diagnostic criteria published by Pandas Network for assistance with diagnosis

https://pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandas/diagnosis/

In addition, the following organizations are fundamental in the education, advocacy and research of these Neuro-Immune disorders

https://neuroimmune.org/

https://aspire.care/

Please visit these websites for more information on diagnosing and treating these disorders.

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