AUTHOR=Prato Adriana , Gulisano Mariangela , Scerbo Miriam , Barone Rita , Vicario Carmelo M. , Rizzo Renata 

TITLE=Diagnostic Approach to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS): A Narrative Review of Literature Data

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.746639

DOI=10.3389/fped.2021.746639

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are clinical conditions characterized by the sudden onset of obsessive‑compulsive disorder and/or tics, often accompanied by other behavioural symptoms in a group of children with streptococcal infection. PANDAS-related disorders including Paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), Childhood Acute Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (CANS) and Paediatric Infection Triggered Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PITANDs), have been also described. Since first defined in 1998, PANDAS has been considered a controversial diagnosis. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed on PubMed and Scopus databases, searching for diagnostic criteria and diagnostic procedures of PANDAS and related disorders. We propose a test panel to support clinicians in the work-out of PANDAS/PANS patients establishing an appropriate treatment. However, further studies are needed to improve our knowledge on these acute-onset neuropsychiatric conditions.