DISCLAIMER: the information in this webinar was current at the time of recording.

INTRODUCTION TO PANS

Author: Michelle Newby BHSc(OT), MSc, PhD Candidate; 26/10/2023

PANS stands for Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. It is a complex neuroinflammatory condition that can affect children, characterised by an abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric and somatic symptoms. PANS encompasses a related condition called PANDAS (Paediatric Auto-immune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections). These two conditions share similarities and are often collectively referred to as PANS for simplicity.

Key Characteristics of PANS:

Abrupt Onset: PANS is known for its sudden onset, where a child goes from having no symptoms to experiencing full-blown symptoms within 24-48 hours.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Eating Restrictions: Common initial symptoms of PANS include OCD behaviours and eating restrictions. Sometimes, both symptoms can occur simultaneously.

Comorbid Symptoms: In addition to OCD or eating issues, PANS is accompanied by at least two or more comorbid symptoms, which can include sensory or motor abnormalities, anxiety, emotional lability, depression, irritability, aggression, developmental/behavioral regression, deterioration in school performance, and somatic signs like sleep disturbances or urinary frequency.

Relapsing Remitting or Chronic Progressive: PANS can follow different courses. Some children experience a relapsing-remitting pattern, with sudden symptom exacerbations following exposure to triggers. Others may have a chronic progressive course, where symptoms persist and do not return to their pre-exacerbation level of function.