Are you aware of PANDAS Syndrome? Let's talk about it!

Have you ever noticed that your little one suddenly starts acting strangely and not the way they used to? Maybe you notice these changes after you've recovered from a fever, a cold, or a sore throat. Today we're going to talk about a situation that can arise at such times, which is a bit complicated, but very important to be aware of.

What is PANDAS Syndrome?

Simply put, PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. That's a long name, isn't it? It's an abbreviation for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. This is a condition in which a select group of children suddenly develop behavioral, mental, and sometimes neurological changes after they get a strep throat infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. There have been reports of PANDAS- related tics , obsessive-compulsive behavior , and other mental and neurological symptoms. However, the exact relationship between these two is still being explored.

Who can develop PANDAS syndrome?

PANDAS symptoms are usually reported in children between the ages of 3 and 12. Some health care providers believe that the condition is slightly more common in boys . There are also several other factors that are thought to increase a child's risk of developing PANDAS:

• If you frequently get infections like ``Group A streptococcal infections'', that is, ``strep throat'' or ``scarlet fever''.
• If someone in the family has autoimmune diseases or has had conditions like rheumatic fever .

Can young children or adults develop PANDAS?

Some researchers believe that it is very rare for young children or adults to develop mental or neurological symptoms from strep infections. However, some researchers are still investigating the possible long-term effects of such conditions.

How common is PANDAS syndrome?

Some research suggests that PANDAS is a very rare condition . So there's no need to panic, but it's important to be aware.

What are the symptoms of PANDAS syndrome?

The symptoms of PANDAS are reported to vary greatly from child to child. They can be a combination of mental and neurological conditions. What is unique is that these symptoms seem to start suddenly and have a pattern of coming and going . They usually last for a few days or weeks, then subside and then come back.

Imagine, your child was playing well, and suddenly his behavior changes completely. He starts doing things he didn't do before, or his previous habits suddenly disappear. This is one of the main symptoms seen in `(PANDAS)`.

Reported mental symptoms:

Here are some of the mental health symptoms that have been reported to occur with PANDAS:

• Anxiety or depression . Suddenly the child becomes fearful or sad.
• Bedwetting , especially if it starts suddenly without a previous habit.
• Changes in mood or personality , especially sudden outbursts of anger or irritability . A child who was not previously angry gets angry over small things.
• Difficulty sleeping . Not being able to sleep at night, or waking up frequently.
• Disinterest in food . A child who previously ate well refuses to eat.
• Fidgeting and symptoms similar to those of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) .
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder-like behavior . For example, doing the same things over and over again, never stopping to wash your hands, or obsessing over having to put things in order.
• Separation anxiety. A fear of leaving one's parents, even if one has never been separated from them before.
• Tourette syndrome is characterized by involuntary, uncontrollable movements (tics) . These may include eye blinking, throat clearing, and shoulder shrugs.

Reported neurological symptoms:

There are also neurological symptoms that are said to be associated with PANDAS:

• Changes in motor skills . That is, problems with muscle movement. For example, problems with handwriting may occur. A child who previously wrote beautifully may have slurred handwriting.
• Difficulty concentrating or learning .
• Weaknesses in school work (poor performance in school) . A child who previously studied well suddenly falls behind.
• Reduced coordination . Stumbling when walking or running.
• Hypersensitivity to light and sound . The child becomes uncomfortable with even the slightest sound or light.

What causes PANDAS syndrome?

Now you may be wondering, 'Why is this happening?' Some people believe that PANDAS occurs when your child's immune system makes antibodies to fight the bacteria that caused the strep infection. Think of these antibodies as soldiers in our bodies. They fight against disease.

However, sometimes these antibodies mistakenly attack healthy cells in the body that look similar to the strep infection cells. It's like attacking one of your own, which looks like an enemy. Some believe that these antibodies affect the child's brain tissue . That's why it's believed that the mental and neurological symptoms mentioned above suddenly appear.

Are PANS and PANDAS syndromes the same thing?

You may have heard the term `(PANS)`. `(PANS)` stands for `(Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome)`. Some doctors think that `(PANDAS)` is a type of `(PANS)`. They both cause similar symptoms that come on suddenly, they think. But the main difference is that `(PANDAS)` is thought to be related to a strep infection, while `(PANS)` is thought to be caused by other infections, such as `(Lyme disease)` or `(influenza)` (we call it the flu).

How is PANDAS syndrome diagnosed?

This is a question that many parents have. There is currently no specific test to diagnose PANDAS. A doctor will do a physical exam and carefully study the child's symptoms. This means that the doctor will need to know the changes you notice in your child's behavior, when it started, and how it has continued. Therefore, when you go to see the doctor, be aware of these things.

How is PANDAS syndrome treated?

There are several key things to consider when treating PANDAS:

• Antibiotics: If your child has an active strep infection , meaning they have symptoms of infection such as fever, sore throat, and pain when swallowing, they should definitely be given antibiotics . This is to control the infection.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): `(CBT)` is a form of psychotherapy. It helps a child to cope with and manage their mental and emotional difficulties. It is especially useful for symptoms such as `(OCD)` and anxiety.
• Sometimes, there are separate training methods (habit reversal training) for those tics.

The most important thing is to start and continue treatment only on medical advice.

Can PANDAS syndrome be prevented?

The best way to prevent any illness thought to be related to an infection is to prevent the infection from developing in the first place . Therefore, it is very important to teach your child good health habits.

• Teach them to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Teach them not to share personal items like food, drinks, and toothbrushes with others.
• Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer whenever possible.

These simple things can greatly reduce the spread of infections like strep.

What is the future of a child with PANDAS syndrome?

Often, focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for behavioral problems and habit reversal training for tics can reduce the frequency of symptoms and provide children with the coping skills they need to succeed.

That means there's nothing to worry about. With the right treatment and support, children can live well with this condition. The most important thing is to seek medical advice as soon as you notice a problem and to provide your child with love, understanding, and support.

The most important thing we should take home from this story (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so I think you now have a better idea about the `(PANDAS)` syndrome we talked about.

• PANDAS is a group of mental and neurological problems that some children are thought to develop after strep infections.
• The main symptoms are sudden onset of tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder-like behavior .
• If there is an active strep infection, antibiotics are given, and behavioral and psychological problems are treated with treatments such as CBT.
• Most importantly, if you notice a sudden, big change in your child's behavior, especially after something like a cold or flu, see a doctor right away. Don't panic, not all changes are PANDAS. However, it's best to talk to a doctor to rule out any concerns.

Remember, early detection and proper treatment can provide great relief to the child.

` PANDAS syndrome, streptococcal infections, pediatric neuropsychiatric diseases, tics, OCD, autoimmunity, child health