As parents, we know our child’s physical wellbeing is often tied to their behavior. For instance, when kids are hungry or tired, they are much more inclined to be irritable, uncooperative and unable to regulate their emotions.
Connections between physical health and mental health
Your Alzein Pediatrics provider also knows that more and more research shows a clear connection between physical health and mental health. There is clinical evidence that some diseases, particularly strep infections, can result in neuropsychiatric symptoms. PANS, or pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, symptoms can seem to come out of nowhere.
The good news is PANS is exceedingly rare, affecting just 1-3% of all children. Rarer still is the subset of PANS called PANDAS: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections.
Scientists think these symptoms develop either because the strep infection causes inflammation that impacts the brain’s function, or because cells in the brain share similar characteristics to strep cells, causing the immune system to attack both. Because strep infections are common and sometimes go unnoticed, the neuropsychological changes can be baffling.
What is PANDAS?
PANDAS is a sudden and severe onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder, tics and other changes in behavior. The child may also experience radical changes in eating patterns, motor skills, and mood. These changes may also manifest in other behaviors like bed-wetting, frequent urination, hyperactivity, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.
How is PANDAS diagnosed?
Your Alzein Pediatrics provider will not diagnose PANDAS based solely on the presence of OCD and tics, as these are common in children. We’ll also look for the sudden and severe onset of those symptoms following a streptococcal infection. PANDAS symptoms tend to appear within three months of a strep or scarlet fever infection. The symptoms may disappear and reappear, sometimes with increased severity.
How is PANDAS treated?
Our first phase of treatment for PANDAS is to ensure the strep infection is resolved. Antibiotics will help relieve some PANDAS symptoms by getting inflammation and autoimmune responses under control. Your provider may also recommend cognitive behavioral therapy or medication to manage OCD symptoms, anxiety, tics, and eating issues.
Many patients recover fully while others experience recurring episodes or chronic symptoms. Outcomes depend upon the severity of the PANDAS symptoms, the severity of the underlying infection, and how quickly treatment begins.
How can PANDAS be avoided?
Preventing infections offers the best protection against the very rare PANDAS. Make sure your child understands good hygiene, washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently – and always after toileting and before eating. Teach them to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when they cough or sneeze.
Remember, PANDAS remains very rare, but researchers are concerned that PANDAS may go undiagnosed and be underreported.
Contact us with any concerns
Because early treatment improves long-term outcomes, if you have any concerns about changes in your child’s behavior, particularly alongside other symptoms, contact us for an appointment immediately or visit Alzein Pediatrics Urgent Care. We are here to ensure your child’s health and wellbeing!
