Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep (PANDAS)
PANS and PANDAS are autoimmune disorders affecting the nervous system that can severely affect a child’s mental and physical health, behavior, and daily functioning. PANS may be triggered by infections, viruses and microbes such as Lyme disease and its co-infections, Mycoplasma, Influenza, Epstein-Barr, parasites, or environmental triggers like mold. PANDAS is specifically associated with streptococcal infection.
Neurological and behavioral symptoms can be extreme and may include:
• Anxiety, depression, mood swings, or suicidal ideation
• Restricted eating and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
• Obsessions and compulsions (OCD)
• Behavioral/developmental regression
• Motor and vocal tics
• Severe oppositional behaviors
• Aggression, hyperactivity
• Sudden academic decline, handwriting deterioration
• Motor abnormalities
• Sensory sensitivities
• Sleep disturbances
• Enuresis (bedwetting), urinary frequency
According to the PANDAS Network, 1 in 200 children in the U.S. may be affected. In Texas, an estimated 11,000 children develop this illness each year. When properly identified, treatment often includes addressing underlying infections, targeting immune system dysfunction, and providing emotional and developmental support — offering many children the chance for full recovery.
Tragically, children are very often misdiagnosed due to the lack of awareness and acceptance from the mainstream medical community in Texas. When left untreated, lifelong disability can result.
