PANS PANDAS UK

PANS and PANDAS are a set of conditions that result in inflammation of the brain, causing a variety of neuro-psychiatric conditions such as OCD, tics, and eating restrictions.  These conditions are often misdiagnosed or blamed simply on bad behaviour and poor parenting. 

Pans Pandas UK is a charity that was established by a dedicated group of parents with children who are affected by these conditions.  Determined to make a difference in the way these conditions are understood by the medical profession and the general public, the charity was registered in May 2018. 

The charity was originally created in order to raise awareness and understanding of these conditions among the general public and medical professionals. 

All of Plymouth is covered. We provide support via our Facebook group, PANS PANDAS UK.

Please join our Facebook group, Pans Pandas UK, where you can obtain further support as and when needed.

PANS Diagnostic Criteria​

An abrupt, acute, dramatic onset (usually within 24-48 hours) of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)* or severely restricted food intake** along with two or more of the following symptoms that are not better explained by a known neurologic or medical disorder.​

• Anxiety (heightened anxiety, separation anxiety, irrational fears, panic episodes)
• Tics
• Emotional lability and/or Depression
• Irritability, Aggression, and/or severe Oppositional behaviours
• Behavioural (developmental) regression (increase in temper tantrums, loss of age-appropriate language, clingy behaviour not related to anxiety).
• Sudden Deterioration in School Performance (due to difficulties with memory, concentration, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and new deficits of visuospatial skills)
• Motor or sensory abnormalities (dysgraphia, clumsiness, tics, new sensory sensitivities to light, noise, smell, taste, or texture).
• Insomnia and/or Sleep disturbances
• Enuresis and/or Urinary frequency​
• Whilst not part of the diagnostic criteria, in approximately 25% of cases, there have been reports of Psychosis and/or Hallucinations

PANDAS Diagnostic Criteria​

Usually starting with an acute onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or tics, particularly multiple, complex, or unusual tics.  PANDAS symptoms can then appear to wax and wane, with the child experiencing flares periodically following illness or periods of stress.  The child is usually between the ages of 3 and puberty when the first symptoms occur and usually appear following a streptococcal infection such as sinusitis, ear infections, or scarlet fever.  In some cases, children can carry the streptococcus bacteria without showing signs of illness.

While it is not a diagnostic requirement, in addition to OCD* and/or tics, children may also experience co-morbid symptoms similar to those seen in PANS.​

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