Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci - Definition of Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci

PANDAS, or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci, has been used to describe a group of disorders in particular, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tic disorder or Tourette syndrome (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). PANDAS has been associated with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), as well as Sydenham chorea, a condition that results from rheumatic fever following strep infection. Although PANDAS shared certain features of Sydenham in particular, OCD and tics it is not clear whether PANDAS represents acute rheumatic fever.