PANDAS Physicians Network Releases Updated PANS/PANDAS Diagnostic Flowchart and Treatment Guidelines

MOORESVILLE, N.C., December 22, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​The PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN) released updated diagnostic flowchart and treatment guidelines for PANS/PANDAS on Dec. 15, 2020. Their goal is to help clinicians evaluate their patients for PANS/PANDAS and determine the best course of treatment.

PANS/PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome / Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) are immune-mediated brain diseases triggered by one of a number of physiological stressors, including but not limited to Group A Streptococcal infection, Mycoplasma pneumonia infection, influenza, upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, and psychosocial stresses. The hallmark trait of PANS/PANDAS is the abrupt and severe onset of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) or eating restrictions. These primary symptoms are accompanied by other emotional and behavioral changes, frequent urination, tics, motor abnormalities and/or handwriting changes.

“I’m so pleased to see the recent update to the PPN diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines,” said Dr. Susan Swedo, Scientist Emeritus, National Institute of Health. “While much of the material was documented in the 2017 Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology articles, the flowcharts also incorporate recommendations from clinicians who have been treating PANDAS and PANS patients for the past three years. The flowcharts also provide specific guidance for mild, moderate and severe/extremely ill patients, which provide pediatricians and child psychiatrists with powerful tools to recognize, evaluate and treat PANS and PANDAS.”

The updated PANS/PANDAS diagnostic flowchart and treatment guidelines include: 

• Detailed process provided for determining the appropriate diagnosis
• Symptom severity-based treatment protocols for mild, moderate, and severe/extreme cases
• Guidelines for assessing the outcome of treatments
• Guidance in determining the next steps

“Our goal at the PANDAS Physicians Network is to halt the suffering of a generation of children, by supporting the accurate diagnosis of pediatric mental health issues caused by simple infection,” said Susan Boaz, Executive Director of the PANDAS Physicians Network.

The updated PANS/PANDAS diagnostic flowchart and treatment guidelines can be found at www.pandasppn.org/flowchart.

For questions about PANDAS Physicians Network, contact [email protected] or visit www.pandasppn.org.

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About the PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN)

PANDAS Physicians Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining the industry standard PPN Guidelines for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, foster continuous education and communication within the multi-disciplinary medical community, and to sponsor research for developing diagnostic tests, treatment protocols and a cure for PANDAS/PANS within this generation. Learn more at www.pandasppn.org.

Source: PANDAS Physicians Network