Know PANDAS Syndrome in Children: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Speaking of
obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD, not many people know its relationship
with PANDAS syndrome in children.
According to an
explanation from the National Institute of Mental Health, PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune
Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, translating
into neuropsychiatric, autoimmune disorders associated with Streptococcus
infection in children.
PANDAS syndrome
usually appears in children aged 3-12 years who have had Streptococcus
infection and causes sudden drastic changes in the child's personality, behavior,
and movements.
What exactly is
the relationship between autoimmune, Streptococcus infection, and OCD? Check out the following explanation to know more,
Moms.
Causes of PANDAS Syndrome
PANDAS syndrome
in children starts from streptococcus bacterial infections, which have been
known to cause mild symptoms such as strep throat and mild skin infections, to
more severe health problems such as strep infections and scarlet
fever.
Although more
research is needed, PANDAS syndrome is suspected of occurring due to an immune
system response error when dealing with Streptococcus bacteria entering the
body. As a result, antibodies attack an area of the brain called the basal
ganglia and cause neuropsychiatric symptoms.
It is also known
that other infections such as Lyme disease, mononucleosis, mycoplasma (walking
pneumonia), and H1N1 flu can also trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms due to an
autoimmune reaction known as PANS syndrome.
Symptoms of
PANDAS Syndrome
Unlike OCD
symptoms in general that appear slowly and gradually, the symptoms of PANDAS
syndrome in children appear suddenly and quickly become more severe.
As quoted from
the International OCD Foundation page, symptoms of PANDAS syndrome usually
appear within 4-6 weeks after the child has streptococcus infection.
In addition to
being marked by the sudden appearance of OCD and Tourette's syndrome, the
following symptoms appear:
- Separation anxiety and severe panic attacks.
- Visual or auditory hallucinations.
- Emotional and developmental setbacks.
- Depression and suicidal thoughts.
- Tic and abnormal physical movements.
- Deterioration of writing and fine
motor skills.
- Memory impairment and sleep
disorders.
- Hyperactivity or concentration
problems.
Not all children
with PANDAS syndrome experience all symptoms simultaneously, but generally show
a combination of some physical and psychiatric symptoms as above.
Treatment of PANDAS Syndrome
Treatment of
PANDAS syndrome in children is usually done for both physical and psychiatric
symptoms, which begin with administering antibiotics to ensure streptococcus
bacterial infection is fully cured and does not recur.
At this stage,
other family members also need to be tested for Streptococcus infection, not
taking turns using cutlery, also replacing toothbrushes with new ones.
After that,
psychiatric symptoms will be treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy and the
administration of certain drugs. In severe cases, your child may have to
undergo blood plasma exchange to get rid of abnormal antibodies from the body.
PANDAS syndrome's physical and psychiatric symptoms can worsen and cause permanent cognitive damage. If not treated immediately, In some cases, children may also develop chronic autoimmune conditions.
The best way to
prevent PANDAS syndrome in children is to immediately overcome Streptococcus
infection with the administration of antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor to
completion. Moms also need to familiarize children not to have various cutlery,
toothbrushes, or food and drink to minimize the risk of strep infection.
