Imagine, your child was very happy and normal until yesterday. But this morning he woke up and became a completely different person. Suddenly he cries, gets angry, doesn't want to be away from you for a moment... and sometimes does the same thing over and over again. Seeing something like this, every mother and father is very scared, right? The reason for this may be something you don't even think about. That is a condition called PANDAS Syndrome. Let's talk about this simply and clearly.
What exactly is PANDAS Syndrome?
Simply put, PANDAS is a neurological and psychiatric condition that occurs in some children after they get a strep throat infection. The word PANDAS is an acronym for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. While the name may sound complicated, the underlying cause is actually quite simple.
Our doctors believe that this is an autoimmune disorder. This is what it means. When a child gets strep bacteria, our body's defense system, the immune system, starts to fight against this bacteria. But sometimes, some parts of these strep bacteria are very similar to parts of healthy cells in our brain. So , our defense system, which goes wild, starts to attack the bacteria and, by mistake, starts to attack our own healthy brain cells. That's when we see these sudden behavioral changes.
This condition is most often seen in children between the ages of 3 and 12. However, it can also occur in older children. This is a very rare condition. Therefore, it is very important to be fully aware of this before panicking.
What are the symptoms of this? How do you recognize it?
The main characteristic of PANDAS is that it all starts very suddenly, almost overnight. The child's behavior changes dramatically. These symptoms can last for a few days or weeks. Sometimes they can subside and then reappear.
See the table below for the main symptoms.
| Characteristic type | Things that can be seen from a child |
|---|---|
| Behavioral changes (such as OCD) | Compulsive behaviors such as frequent hand washing, asking the same question over and over again, and constantly checking to see if doors are locked (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - OCD) |
| Emotional problems | Extreme fear of being separated from parents (separation anxiety), sudden outbursts of anger, crying, and laughing without meaning to. |
| Physical movements (Tics) | Sudden, jerky movements such as uncontrolled blinking, neck twisting, and shoulder shrugging. |
| Educational issues | Difficulty with writing, drawing, inability to concentrate on schoolwork, showing symptoms of ADHD. |
| Other features | Loss of appetite, sleep problems, bedwetting, joint pain, and sensitivity to light. |
What is the difference between PANS and PANDAS?
You may have heard the term PANS. PANDAS is a condition that belongs to a broader category called PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). PANS has similar symptoms to PANDAS. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be caused by a strep infection. PANS can also be caused by other infections, environmental factors, or other problems with the immune system.
How does a doctor diagnose PANDAS?
Diagnosing PANDAS can be challenging because there is no specific test to confirm it. Your doctor will examine your child carefully, ask you about your symptoms, and rule out other conditions. The following tests may be done:
- A throat swab is a test that checks for strep bacteria.
- Blood tests to check the functioning of the immune system.
- Sometimes a brain scan.
- Seek the help of a mental health professional to ensure that there are no other mental health conditions.
The important thing is, if the child has not had or does not currently have a strep infection, it cannot be PANDAS. But those symptoms could be a condition called PANS. Therefore, it is essential to see a doctor and seek advice in any case.
What are the treatments for this?
The sooner this condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the child's chances of recovery. Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and therapy.
| Treatment method | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | The first thing you will do is give antibiotics to kill the strep infection. You will need to take these for one to two weeks. |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | This helps control the child's OCD-like behaviors and fears. It teaches the child how to deal with those thoughts. |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs | Steroid pills or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may be given to calm the overactive immune system. |
| Antidepressants | SSRI medications can be given to control OCD symptoms. However, they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor , as they can sometimes cause side effects in children with PANDAS. |
| IVIG / Plasmapheresis | If other treatments are not successful, and the symptoms are very severe, these methods are used to 'reset' the immune system. These are very complex treatments. |
Will this situation get better? What should we do as parents?
Yes, this is the best news. Most children recover completely with proper treatment. After a strep infection is cured, the symptoms gradually subside over a few months. But sometimes they can get better and then come back.
The most important thing is that if your child gets a strep infection again, the PANDAS symptoms are more likely to reappear. Therefore, it is your responsibility to protect your child from infections.
Do these things:
- Practice good hygiene habits , such as washing your hands frequently and staying away from sick people.
- Change your toothbrush frequently.
- Sometimes, other family members can have strep bacteria without symptoms (carriers). If necessary, talk to your doctor about getting everyone in your family tested.
Some doctors recommend long-term antibiotics to prevent future infections, while others recommend tonsillectomy, but the effectiveness of these methods is still under investigation.
Take-Home Message
- PANDAS Syndrome is a real neurological and psychological condition that can be caused by a strep throat infection.
- The main symptom is a sudden, dramatic change in the behavior of a previously healthy child.
- If you see these symptoms in your child, don't panic or panic, but see a pediatrician immediately.
- With proper treatment, most children make a full recovery.
- Preventing your child from getting strep throat again is very important to prevent the disease from recurring.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න