PANDAS Episodes: A Rollercoaster of Symptoms
When it comes to PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), the symptoms can be quite unpredictable. Individuals with PANDAS often experience dramatic ups and downs in their condition. One moment, they might exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors and tics, only for them to suddenly change or worsen, and then gradually improve over time.
These episodes of symptoms can be quite puzzling for both the individuals affected and their caregivers. Symptoms may come and go, lasting for a few days before subsiding temporarily. However, in some cases, severe symptoms can persist for weeks or even months at a time.
It is important to note that PANDAS symptoms can be triggered or exacerbated by another streptococcal infection. If a child with PANDAS contracts such an infection, it can lead to a worsening of their OCD and behavioral symptoms.
Age of Onset
PANDAS: A Pediatric Disease with Varied Age of Onset
PANDAS is a pediatric disease that primarily affects children between the ages of four and nine, comprising approximately 69% of reported cases. Additionally, about 19% of affected children fall within the age range of 10 to 13 years. Surprisingly, a small percentage of families, around 11%, have reported observing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tic behaviors in children aged one to three following a strep infection. On the other hand, only 1% of individuals exhibiting PANDAS symptoms are over the age of 14, indicating that the disease predominantly affects younger children.
The prevalence of OCD diagnoses in the United States is significant, with over 500,000 children receiving this diagnosis from physicians. Similarly, Tourette syndrome affects approximately 138,000 children in the US. Experts in the field estimate that approximately 25% of these diagnoses, or one-quarter, may be attributed to PANDAS in children.