Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Initiative
Fall 2022
The Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) Initiative is our first official topic of interest for the 2022-2023 academic term. Insstad of having a case competition this year, ASH advocated the disease on their social media platforms to raise awareness!
WHAT IS PANS?
Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric syndrome is a clinical diagnosis given to children with a dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as OCD. It may cause children to become moody, anxious and inattentive. This increases sensory issues, irritability, eating issues, and can also deteriorate motor skills. There is a lack of diagnostic tools; however, physicians assess the patient's clinical history and request for a physical examination. Treatment methods include therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and medications changing the neurochemistry of an individual by altering the amount of neurotransmitters; one such medications include Selective Serotonin Re-uptake inhibitors.
Why We Chose PANS?
AdvoSci Health aims to spread awareness for rare disorders and conditions to allow the public understand the disease and the barriers associated with it. With this, there are many neurological rare diseases that affect young children and PANS is an important one that should be discussed. Therefore, ASH decided to study PANS for the month. Did you know that 69% of children that are affected by PANS are from the age of 4-9? Did you also know that there are 500000 children diagnosed with OCD in the US? 25% of these diagnosed children are also affected by PANS!