Information about PANS/PANDAS

PANS = Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome

PANDAS = Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections

Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is a term used to describe the sudden onset or recurrence of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or restrictive eating disorders and characteristic neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral regression. The diagnosis of PANS does not require a known trigger and the symptoms are not better explained by another diagnosis.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) describes a subset of PANS and is a clinical diagnosis with several suggested criteria. This includes abrupt onset or recurrence of obsessions, compulsions, and/or tics, possibly associated with other neuropsychiatric symptoms, and a temporal association of symptom exacerbations with documented group A streptococcal infection.

If you are a concerned parent of a child with abrupt behavior changes, you and your healthcare provider can consider PANS or PANDAS. Talk to your healthcare provider to be evaluated and for possible treatment options.

For additional information, please check these links below.

Resources:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): One of 27 institutes and centers that are a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). General information about PANS and PANDAS can be found here.

American Academy of Pediatrics: A professional organization of pediatricians.