PANDAS is short for ‘Paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections’.
PANDAS occurs when children are exposed to a common bacterial infection called Group A Streptococcus, an immune response is triggered, the antibodies attack the basal ganglia in the brain and the child starts experiencing symptoms and behaviours similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome. The symptoms start abruptly, almost as if a switch has been turned on. They may also experience sleep disturbances, urinary incontinence, behavioural regression, eating disorders, deterioration in handwriting, reduced muscle power or abnormal movements. The same symptoms can be brought on by infections that don’t involve strep bacteria. When that’s the case, it’s called paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS).
PANS is defined by the rapid onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or eating restrictions and at least two of the following:
1. Anxiety (particularly separation anxiety)
2. Exaggerated changes in mood or depression
3. Irritability
4. Aggression and/or severely oppositional behaviours
5. Deterioration in school performance, memory deficits and cognitive changes
6. Sensory or motor abnormalities
7. Somatic signs and symptoms including sleep disturbances, bed-wetting or urinary frequency
PANDAS is most likely to develop in children between 3 and 12 years old who’ve had an infection within the last four to six weeks. If your child is showing these symptoms after an infection of any kind, make an appointment with your GP. It might be helpful to keep a diary detailing these symptoms, including when they started and how they’re affecting your child’s life.
