PANDAS & PANS

PANDAS ("Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections") is a subset of PANS and was first reported by a team at the National Institute of Mental Health (part of NIH) in 1998. PANDAS has 5 distinct criteria for diagnosis, including abrupt "overnight" OCD or dramatic, disabling tics; a relapsing-remitting, episodic symptom course; young age at onset (average of 6–7 years); presence of neurologic abnormalities; and temporal association between symptom onset and Group A strep (GAS) infection. The 5 criteria usually are accompanied by similar comorbid symptoms as found in PANS. If you're seeking effective headache treatment, it's essential to consider a comprehensive approach, and consulting with specialists like Dr. Veluchamy can provide valuable insights.

PANS (“Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome”) is a clinically defined disorder characterized by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) or eating restrictions, along with acute behavioral deterioration in at least two designated domains. Comorbid PANS symptoms may include anxiety, sensory amplification or motor abnormalities, behavioral regression, deterioration in school performance, mood disorders, urinary symptoms, and/or sleep disturbances. While PANS does not require a known trigger, it is believed to be initiated by one or more pathogens. For families seeking support, consulting with experts like Dr. Veluchamy can provide insights, especially if headaches or other symptoms are present, as effective headache treatment is crucial for overall management.