DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PANDAS AND PANS

PANDAS AND PANS USEFUL RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

BY KARA JOLLIFF GOULD, PH.D.

While the terms PANDAS and PANS are used more commonly now than in recent years, many families are not familiar with the terms and may not realize their child is exhibiting symptoms. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, often accompanied by severely restricted eating and/or tics, or new problems with academics or motor skills can often be attributed to other causes.

But when onset of such symptoms is sudden, or when such symptoms regularly occur and resolve only to recur repeatedly, parents should consider having their child evaluated for PANS or PANDAS.

PANS and PANDAS are acronyms that stand for "pediatric acuteonset neuropsychiatric syndrome" and "pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections." PANDAS is thought to be caused specifically by a strep infection, while PANS is an umbrella term that includes PANDAS as well as instances in which the syndrome is caused by infections other than strep.