Hello there, readers! Today, we are diving into PANS and PANDAS awareness day, a topic that may not yet be on everyone's radar but definitely deserves our attention. Did you know that approximately one in 200 children in the U.S. are affected by PANS and PANDAS each year? Yep, it's more common than you might think. For those dealing with these conditions, finding the right care can often feel like an endless waiting game. Spreading awareness about PANS and PANDAS is crucial, as it can better assist affected families. Recent studies suggest that acute neuropsychiatric disorders, including PANS and PANDAS, can often emerge following infections, indicating a potential link between environmental triggers and these conditions [1]. So, grab your reading glasses because we're about to shine a light on a condition that has been hidden for too long!
1. Mark Your Calendar
PANS and PANDAS Awareness Day takes place on October 9th every year. Since its inception in 2009, this day has aimed to advance research, educate the public, and support those who are managing these disorders. Increased awareness is pivotal, as it can lead to improved diagnostic protocols and better therapeutic approaches for affected children [3].
2. PANS: The Brain Flip
PANS, or pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, is a diagnosis where certain children start to behave erratically and strangely out of nowhere. One day they're just fine, and the next, they're grappling with unusual obsessions or even refusing to eat. It's as if a switch in their brains flipped. Doctors might confuse it with eating disorders or OCD, but it's not the same, and the true cause is still somewhat of a mystery. Research indicates that the acute onset of such symptoms can often be linked to infections or other stressors, which may trigger neuropsychiatric manifestations in children with pre-existing vulnerabilities [5].
3. PANDAS Alert
PANDAS stands for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections. In kids with PANDAS, they can suddenly develop neuropsychiatric symptoms like OCD or tics, those involuntary movements. What's wild is that this can all happen in just a couple of days! Many children diagnosed with PANDAS actually test positive for recent streptococcal infections, like strep throat, peri-anal strep, or even scarlet fever. Notably, studies have shown that the presence of specific antibodies in these children may contribute to the neuropsychiatric symptoms, highlighting the need for further research into the autoimmune mechanisms involved [2].
4. Beating PANS and PANDAS
Great news: PANS and PANDAS can be effectively treated! It's like a three-step strategy to tackle the issue. First, you address the underlying infections. After that, once the immune system is restored, doctors focus on alleviating the annoying symptoms. Recent advancements in treatment protocols have shown promising results in managing these conditions, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention. So, don't lose hope; there is a path to recovery!
5. Together We Can!
You can make a real difference and potentially save lives by spreading the word about PANS and PANDAS. Think about distributing flyers, organizing fundraising events, sharing your experiences, and encouraging state representatives to support the awareness initiative. More research is essential to help identify these disorders quickly and treat them effectively. It will also help medical professionals understand this condition better. So, let's all make an effort to learn about PANS and PANDAS on this day, recognize the symptoms, and support families caring for a PANS or PANDAS patient!
Let's keep the momentum going and spread the word far and wide. Everyone needs to know about PANS and PANDAS. Increased awareness can lead to early detection and better outcomes for those facing these disorders. Remember, every little effort counts. Share a message, wear a ribbon, or organize a neighborhood celebration. Every small contribution helps bring PANS and PANDAS into the spotlight!
If you're looking for personalized advice or have questions regarding PANS and PANDAS, why not consider an online doctor consultation? You can easily talk to a doctor online and get the support you need. Plus, with an AI doctor, you can have instant assistance. Chat doctor services like these are designed to help you navigate through health concerns efficiently.
References:
- Foiadelli Thomas, Loddo Nicolò, Sacchi Lucia, Viola Santi, D'Imporzano Giulia, Eugenia Spreafico, Orsini Alessandro, Ferretti Alessandro, De Amici Mara, Testa Giorgia, Marseglia Gian Luigi, Savasta Salvatore. IL-17 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with acute neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for PANDAS and PANS.. PubMed. 2024.
- Tammy Hedderly, Osman Malik. Childhood Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndromes…furthering the discussion PANS and PANDAS.. PubMed. 2018.
- Alessandra Gamucci, Sara Uccella, Lucia Sciarretta, Maria D'Apruzzo, Maria Grazia Calevo, Maria Margherita Mancardi, Edvige Veneselli, Elisa De Grandis. PANDAS and PANS: Clinical, Neuropsychological, and Biological Characterization of a Monocentric Series of Patients and Proposal for a Diagnostic Protocol.. PubMed. 2019.
- Miracle Ozzoude, Brenda Varriano, Derek Beaton, Joel Ramirez, Sabrina Adamo, Melissa F Holmes, Christopher J M Scott, Fuqiang Gao, Kelly M Sunderland, Paula McLaughlin, Maged Goubran, Donna Kwan, Angela Roberts, Robert Bartha, Sean Symons, Brian Tan, Richard H Swartz, Agessandro Abrahao, Gustavo Saposnik, Mario Masellis, Anthony E Lang, Connie Marras, Lorne Zinman, Christen Shoesmith, Michael Borrie, Corinne E Fischer, Andrew Frank, Morris Freedman, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Sanjeev Kumar, Stephen Pasternak, Stephen C Strother, Bruce G Pollock, Tarek K Rajji, Dallas Seitz, David F Tang-Wai, John Turnbull, Dar Dowlatshahi, Ayman Hassan, Leanne Casaubon, Jennifer Mandzia, Demetrios Sahlas, David P Breen, David Grimes, Mandar Jog, Thomas D L Steeves, Stephen R Arnott, Sandra E Black, Elizabeth Finger, Jennifer Rabin, Maria Carmela Tartaglia. White matter hyperintensities and smaller cortical thickness are associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases.. PubMed. 2023.
- Janet L Cunningham, Jennifer Frankovich, Robert A Dubin, Erika Pedrosa, Refia Nur Baykara, Noelle Cathleen Schlenk, Shahina B Maqbool, Hedwig Dolstra, Jacqueline Marino, Jacob Edinger, Julia M Shea, Gonzalo Laje, Sigrid M A Swagemakers, Siamala Sinnadurai, Zhengdong D Zhang, Jhih-Rong Lin, Peter J van der Spek, Herbert M Lachman. Ultrarare Variants in DNA Damage Repair Genes in Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome or Acute Behavioral Regression in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.. PubMed. 2024.