PANDAS

PANDAS

PANDAS (pronounced /ˈpændəs/), an acronym for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, is a type of autoimmune disorder that initially manifests in childhood following a streptococcal infection.

Etymology

The term PANDAS was first coined in 1998 by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is an acronym that stands for "Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections". The name refers to the disorder's pediatric onset, its presumed autoimmune etiology, its association with neuropsychiatric symptoms, and its temporal relationship to streptococcal infections.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of PANDAS are dramatically sudden and severe OCD symptoms and/or tic disorders, along with other specific neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms are often accompanied by physical abnormalities, such as motoric abnormalities, adventitious movements, and other neurological signs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of PANDAS is primarily based on the presence of its characteristic clinical features. However, it can be challenging due to the overlap of symptoms with other disorders. The diagnosis is often confirmed by the presence of a streptococcal infection in the patient's history.

Treatment

Treatment for PANDAS typically involves medications to manage the symptoms, antibiotics to treat the streptococcal infection, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help manage the OCD symptoms.

Related Terms

• Autoimmune disorder
• Streptococcal infection
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Tic disorder
• Physical examination
• Adventitiousness
• Clinical sign
• Antibiotic
• Cognitive behavioral therapy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on PANDAS
• Wikipedia's article - PANDAS

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