Understanding PANS/PANDAS

Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) is the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or severely restricted food intake that occurs in response to an infection and cannot be otherwise explained by a neurological or medical condition. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is a subtype of PANS that usually presents as the sudden development of OCD or tics after a Group A Streptococcal infection (such as Strep throat). This handout describes the most common symptoms associated with PANS/PANDAS and outlines the recommended treatment triad .