PANDAS Syndrome - Health Care

PANDAS Syndrome

 

Strep throat is a disease that commonly affects children. Some children can experience it repeatedly. Usually, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it. In a small number of children, this condition can trigger a strange behavioral change known as PANDAS syndrome(Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infection)or a pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with  Streptococcus.

PANDAS syndrome makes a child turn into a different figure, usually occurring 4-6 weeks after streptococcal infection. The child can be suddenly moody, anxious, aggressive, obsessive-compulsive behavior, or uncontrolled body movements.

What's the cause?

PANDAS syndrome can be experienced by children aged between 3 and 12 years. It is not yet known precisely what causes this syndrome, thought to be related to autoimmune disorders. PANDAS syndrome occurs due to an error in the immune system response when facing a bacterial infection. As a result, antibodies attack specific areas of the brain and cause neuropsychiatric disorders. Streptococcal bacteria masquerade so that they look like normal cells. When the immune system finally finds and fights it, it sometimes also fights the cells replicated by Streptococcus.

Recognize the symptoms

Children with PANDAS syndrome suddenly show obsessive-compulsive disorders(OCD),  tics, or both. Changes in their personality and behavior occur quickly and dramatically after developing a strep throat infection.

Ocd symptoms cause an unsanctionable thought or an urge to perform specific actions repeatedly.

Tics are movements or sounds made suddenly and repeatedly and cannot be controlled by the child. They may blink a lot or jerk their heads. The child suddenly grunts, clears his throat constantly or repeats the exact words in other behaviors.

For children who have previously experienced OCD or tics, this condition will worsen the situation.

Other symptoms of PANDAS syndrome:

• Uncontrollable jerky movements.
• Symptoms of ADHD(attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder), among others; hyperactivity, restless children, and difficulty focusing
• Look anxious or frightened when away from their parents or caregivers.
• Look quiet, sad, or depressed.
• Children experience deterioration in motor skills, for example, in writing or in other fine motor movements.
• Complaining of joint pain.
• Easily angry, crying, or laughing at the wrong time.
• Sensory problems; They are susceptible to light, and the child feels that he sees something that does not exist(hallucinations).
• Sleep disturbances.

Treatment of PANDAS Syndrome

As with diseases caused by bacteria, the first line of treatment for PANDAS syndrome is an antibiotic to kill streptococcal bacteria. If symptoms don't improve with antibiotics, your doctor will treat the symptoms of tics  and OCD with a few steps:

• Taking medications to relieve tics and OCD, which start at low doses, while monitoring the symptoms.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy to help children control obsessive behavior and anxiety disorders.
• In severe cases, doctors recommend immunoglobulin therapy and blood plasma exchange.

Support factors from the family are indeed beneficial for the treatment of PANDAS syndrome.

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