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CE: PANDAS: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection
1Christine Pabst is an FNP graduate at the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, where Kim Subasic is an associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Nursing. Contact author: Christine Pabst, christine.pabst@scranton.edu. The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. A podcast with the authors is available at www.ajnonline.com.
Abstract:
If undiagnosed and untreated, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) can suddenly and drastically disrupt the lives of previously healthy children and their families. The key to prompt diagnosis of PANDAS and its appropriate treatment is provider awareness that streptococcal infection may present with neuropsychiatric symptoms. The authors discuss the signs and symptoms that characterize PANDAS, as well as its presumed pathogenesis, and illustrate, through a composite case history, a symptom presentation, diagnostic journey, treatment course, and recovery that is representative of many PANDAS cases.