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aka Infection Triggered Autoimmune Encephalopathy
Is your child suddenly experiencing behavioral changes, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors with no clear explanation? These could be signs of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), two conditions that often go unrecognized but can significantly impact your child’s health and well-being. If left untreated, they can lead to chronic symptoms that interfere with daily life, affecting a child’s emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
What Are PANDAS and PANS?
PANDAS and PANS are both conditions that arise when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to sudden and severe neuropsychiatric symptoms.
- PANDAS: This condition occurs when a strep infection (such as strep throat) triggers an autoimmune response that mistakenly attacks certain areas of the brain, leading to a sudden onset of symptoms such as OCD, tics, and mood changes. Children who have had a recent or recurrent strep infection may be at higher risk for developing PANDAS.
- PANS: Unlike PANDAS, which is specifically linked to strep infections, PANS can be triggered by a variety of factors, including other infections (such as Lyme disease or mycoplasma), environmental toxins, metabolic disturbances, or even psychological stressors. It is characterized by an abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms that may include anxiety, emotional instability, or cognitive decline.
Top 5 Signs Your Child Might Have PANDAS or PANSAs a parent, it can be alarming to witness sudden and unexplained changes in your child’s behavior, emotions, or academic performance. If your child has recently experienced abrupt neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive tendencies, anxiety, or mood swings, they may be showing signs of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). Recognizing the symptoms early can help guide you toward appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.
1. Sudden Onset of OCD or Anxiety
One of the most telling signs of PANDAS or PANS is the sudden and dramatic onset of obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD) or severe anxiety. Unlike typical childhood fears or worries, these symptoms often appear abruptly and without an obvious trigger. Your child may begin engaging in behaviors such as:
- Excessive hand-washing, checking, or repeating actions.
- Persistent irrational fears, such as an intense fear of germs, contamination, or harm.
- Uncontrollable intrusive thoughts that they can’t seem to stop.
What Parents Should Look For:
- Behavioral changes that interfere with daily life and disrupt normal routines.
- The onset of symptoms following a recent illness, such as strep throat, sinus infections, or flu-like symptoms.
2. Tics and Involuntary Movements
Children with PANDAS/PANS frequently develop sudden, involuntary motor or vocal tics. These tics can manifest in various forms, including:
- Facial grimacing, rapid blinking, or shoulder shrugging.
- Repetitive throat clearing, sniffing, or vocal outbursts.
- Jerky or repetitive body movements.
These involuntary movements often appear suddenly and may wax and wane over time, sometimes worsening with stress or illness.What Parents Should Look For:
- New or rapidly developing tics following a recent infection.
- Symptoms that fluctuate or become more pronounced during times of stress, illness, or fatigue.
3. Emotional and Behavioral Outbursts
Children affected by PANDAS or PANS often experience extreme emotional fluctuations that seem disproportionate to the situation. They may go from calm to inconsolable within minutes, displaying symptoms such as:
- Intense mood swings and irritability.
- Sudden, unprovoked episodes of rage or aggression.
- Emotional breakdowns over seemingly minor frustrations.
These emotional changes can be particularly challenging for families to manage, as the child may seem like an entirely different person than they were before the onset of symptoms.
What Parents Should Look For:
- Uncharacteristic emotional reactions that are much more intense than typical childhood behaviors.
- Frequent meltdowns or emotional instability that disrupt home and school life.
4. Sleep Disturbances and Bedwetting
Disruptions in sleep are a common symptom of PANDAS and PANS. Children may experience:
- Insomnia—difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Night terrors or nightmares, often leading to fear of sleeping alone.
- Frequent awakenings throughout the night.
In addition to sleep disturbances, children with PANDAS/PANS may regress in previously learned skills, such as bladder control, leading to sudden bedwetting even after months or years of being fully toilet trained.
What Parents Should Look For:
- Sudden changes in sleep routines, including difficulty staying asleep or waking up distressed.
- Unexplained episodes of bedwetting, especially if the child was previously dry at night.
5. Cognitive and Academic Decline
PANDAS and PANS can severely impact a child’s cognitive abilities, making it difficult for them to concentrate, retain information, and keep up with their schoolwork. Parents may notice:
- A sharp decline in academic performance, particularly in subjects like reading, writing, or math.
- Trouble focusing, increased distractibility, and difficulty following instructions.
- Sudden deterioration in handwriting
- Complaints of “brain fog,” where the child feels mentally sluggish and overwhelmed by simple tasks.
These cognitive challenges can be frustrating for both the child and parents, as once easily completed tasks suddenly become daunting and stressful.
What Parents Should Look For:
- Noticeable struggles in school performance that weren’t present before.
- Expressions of frustration over feeling confused, forgetful, or unable to complete tasks they previously mastered.
How PANDAS and PANS Are Diagnosed
Diagnosing PANDAS and PANS can be challenging due to the wide range of symptoms and their sudden onset. A comprehensive and accurate diagnosis requires a multifaceted approach, combining a detailed medical history, laboratory testing, and functional assessments to identify underlying triggers and contributing factors.Medical History EvaluationThe first step in diagnosing PANDAS and PANS is a thorough review of the child’s medical history, with a particular focus on the onset and progression of symptoms. Since these conditions are often triggered by infections, understanding a child’s exposure to illnesses such as strep throat, respiratory infections, or other immune stressors is crucial.
Key aspects of the medical history evaluation include:
- Sudden or abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as OCD, anxiety, or tics.
- A history of recurrent strep infections or other chronic illnesses.
- Behavioral or cognitive changes that correlate with recent infections or immune challenges.
- Previous treatments and their effectiveness in managing symptoms.
Diagnostic Testing
Once a thorough medical history is taken, the next step involves specialized testing to confirm the presence of infections and inflammatory markers that may be contributing to the symptoms.
Common diagnostic tests include:
- Blood Tests:
- ASO (Antistreptolysin O) titers and anti-DNase B levels to detect recent or ongoing strep infections.
- Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to assess the degree of systemic inflammation.
- Immune function testing to evaluate antibody levels and autoimmune responses.
- Neurological Assessments:
- Evaluating motor function, behavioral changes, and cognitive abilities to detect neurological involvement.
- Observing the child’s response to tasks that require focus, coordination, and emotional regulation.
Functional Medicine ApproachBeyond conventional diagnostics, a functional medicine approach takes a deeper look at the underlying imbalances that may be contributing to the child’s symptoms. This approach goes beyond the infection itself to identify and address:
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Evaluating levels of essential vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium) that support immune and neurological function.
- Immune System Dysregulation: Identifying underlying immune dysfunctions and autoimmune activity that may be contributing to symptom flare-ups.
- Toxin Exposure: Exploring environmental factors such as mold or heavy metals that may be exacerbating symptoms.
Conclusion
PANDAS and PANS are conditions that can present with sudden and alarming symptoms, including obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, tics, behavioral outbursts, and cognitive decline. These rapid changes in your child’s health can be distressing, but early recognition and intervention are key to successful management and recovery.
A comprehensive treatment approach that addresses underlying infections, inflammation, and immune system imbalances can significantly improve your child’s quality of life. Conventional treatments, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, can provide relief, but a functional medicine approach offers a deeper, long-term solution by uncovering and addressing the root causes of these conditions. By supporting the body's natural healing mechanisms, functional medicine helps restore balance, improve neurological function, and promote overall well-being.If your child is experiencing sudden changes in behavior, cognition, or emotional well-being, seeking help from a knowledgeable healthcare provider is crucial. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. Functional medicine provides a personalized, science-based approach to managing PANDAS and PANS effectively, offering hope and support for families dealing with these challenging conditions.
Take the First Step Toward Your Child’s Recovery
At the Restorative Medicine Center, we specialize in addressing complex health conditions like PANDAS and PANS through individualized treatment plans that focus on healing the whole child. Our experienced team is dedicated to finding the root cause of your child’s symptoms and providing compassionate, comprehensive care to help them regain their health and thrive.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how functional medicine can support your child's recovery.
📍 Restorative Medicine Center
705 Barclay Circle, Suite 115
Rochester Hills, Michigan 48307
📞 Phone: 248-289-6349
🌐 Website: restorativemedcenter.com
Schedule Your Consultation Today and take the first step toward helping your child recover and thrive.