PANDAS
Pronunciation: PAN-das
Also written as: PANDAS — Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, involving sudden onset of OCD or tics.
Full Definition
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) is a controversial clinical entity characterized by the sudden onset or dramatic worsening of obsessive-compulsive disorder, tics, or other neuropsychiatric symptoms in children following group A streptococcal infections. The proposed mechanism involves molecular mimicry, where antibodies directed against streptococcal antigens cross-react with neuronal tissues in the basal ganglia. While the existence of PANDAS as a distinct clinical entity remains debated, it represents an important example of infection-triggered autoimmune neuropsychiatric disease.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize as an acronym. Distinguish from PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), which has broader diagnostic criteria.
In Context
- "The patient's clinical presentation was consistent with PANDAS, given the temporal relationship between strep infection and symptom onset." — Clinical case report
- "PANDAS criteria require documentation of streptococcal infection preceding neuropsychiatric symptom exacerbation." — Diagnostic guidelines