Testing for PANDAS/PANS can feel like a daunting process, but it’s a crucial step toward understanding what's really going on and finding the right path forward for your family. It can feel like a lot to take in, the good news is that with the right tests and support, there’s hope for your child to get the help they need to start feeling better.
But first, let’s recall what PANS/PANDAS is, how to initially tell if your child has this problem, and how you can start your journey.
What is PANS/PANDAS Disorder?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a condition where children suddenly develop symptoms like obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, or even disordered eating, often following an infection or exposure to certain triggers. It happens when the immune system, in response to the infection, mistakenly causes inflammation in the brain.
When these symptoms are observed following a suspected strep infection, the condition becomes known as PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections.
Common signs and symptoms your child may have this disorder:
- Avoidant/restrictive of specific foods
- Separation anxiety or general anxiety
- Irregular bowel/bladder movement
- Compulsiveness
- Mood swings and depression
- Aggression in communication styles
- Tantrums
- Behavioral and developmental regression
If you're noticing these kinds of sudden changes in your child, it's completely understandable to feel concerned. While some experts recognize PANDAS/PANS as a rare disorder, conservatively, 1 in every 200 children are diagnosed with this disorder and the number are rising. Likewise, over the years, research into the treatment and management of the neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms of PANS and PANDAS have grown, including science-backed holistic therapies that can be personalized to your child’s specific needs.
Why is Testing for PANDAS/PANS Important?
The sudden onset of symptoms associated with PANDAS/PANS is a clear signal of an underlying medical condition, with a diagnostic criteria and process that’s not as simple as recognizing a common flu. Because these symptoms can appear rapidly in children and seem alarming, it’s crucial to seek medical guidance as early as you can.
The symptoms of PANS and PANDAS may also be present in other mental health disorders. This overlap can make it challenging to pinpoint the exact cause, which is why a combination of tests is necessary to rule out other disorders and establish correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
By conducting blood tests, thoroughly assessing your child’s medical history, and other studies, your doctor can determine whether an immune response, which is a sign of infections, is at play.
Early diagnosis can give your child the best chance for recovery, especially that the neurocognitive, psychiatric and behavioral changes caused by PANS/PANDAS could have a drastic impact on their daily lives.
How Do You Test for PANDAS/PANS?
The lab works involved in PANS/PANDAS testing involve a combination of clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and a detailed review of your child’s medical history.
Rapid Strep Test / Throat Culture
Group A Streptococcus bacteria can sometimes cause strep throat, which may be linked to PANDAS in children. To check for strep, your doctor may recommend a throat culture. This test is simple and involves gently swabbing the back of your child’s throat and tonsils with a sterile cotton swab to collect a sample.
The sample is then sent to a lab, where it’s placed in a special environment to see if the strep bacteria grow. While rapid tests are available and can give quicker results, a throat culture is more accurate and helps ensure a proper diagnosis. For children suspected of having PANDAS, a thorough diagnosis, including a strep throat culture, is important to understand whether a recent infection could be contributing to their symptoms.
PANS/PANDAS Blood Tests:
It is important to find a PANS/PANDAS/AE specialist trained to professionally assess your child’s PANS/PANDAS blood test results, as well as coordinate care measures for your child or teen. Here are our recommended blood tests for PANS/PANDAS/AE.
***Please note these are the same lab tests we recommend for Lyme Disease or any tick-borne infections, as well as viruses.
- Lyme Disease and co-infections: Lyme Western Blot and Elisa, Babesia microti and duncani, Bartonella, B. Miyamotoi, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma
- Anti-Streptolysin (ASO)
- Anti DNase B
- Streptozyme
- Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
- Pneumococcal Antibody
- Epstein Barr Virus Panel
- Coxsackie A & B Titers
- HHV-6
- COVID
Immune System and Autoimmune Testing Parameters:
- IgE Level
- IgA, IgG, IgM
- IgG (subclass 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotypes
- White blood cell count
- Inflammation markers
- CBC
- ANA
- Ferritin
- Serum Copper
- Vitamin D
- B-12
- B-6
- Plasma Amino Acids
- Organic Acids Test
- Stool Testing
- Thyroid testing: Free T3 & T4 and TSH (Thyroid)
Other Clinical Tests:
- Testing for genetic mutations such as MTHFR
- Full panel nutrient testing
- Food allergy testing
- Mold testing
- Cunningham Panel ( Please note that a Cunningham Panel is NOT required for a PANS or PANDAS diagnosis)
Medical History
If your child had experienced any kind of infection in the past, especially ones caused by Streptococcus, that could be important information along with when the behavioral changes were observed.
Children with PANDAS/PANS may find it difficult to cope if not given the right guidance and support. They can be hit with this disease as early as 3 years old, with neuropsychiatric symptoms and behavioral changes manifesting immediately. As parents, we will need to stay vigilant of these changes, in order for our child to receive the proper care they need, and testing for PANDAS/PANS is the first step.
Talk to your medical provider about these lab tests to get to those root causes. We provide medical referrals to those that are participating in our one-to-one BrainBehaviorReset™ Program.
You can also get in touch with medical providers in organizations such as Aspire.care, Epidemic Answers, and The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS).
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new health regime.
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
