PANDA/PANS Awareness Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, PANDA (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes) are serious illnesses that affect the lives of citizens in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, a diagnosis of PANDA of PANS means a child has a sudden, dramatic change in personality displayed as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) together with accompanying symptoms following a strep, bacterial, or viral infection. The OCD can display as intense fear or anxiety. Accompanying symptoms may include tics, anxiety, depression, behavioral regression, deterioration in school performance, sensory sensitivities, severely restricted food intake, and more; and

WHEREAS, researchers have begun to substantiate that this syndrome involves a misdirected autoimmune process that affects or weakens the Blood Brain Barrier. The inflammatory process irritates a region of the brain that manages a variety of functions such as movement, cognitive perception, habit, executive “logic based” thinking, emotions, and the endocrine system; and

WHEREAS, PANDAS/PANS is likely as common as Pediatric Cancer and Pediatric Diabetes, and can seriously affect the healthy outcome of a child’s life; and

WHEREAS, PANDAS/PANS is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Treatment varies by the needs of the child, but may include antibiotics, steroids, IVIG, Plasmapheresis, Cognitive Behavior Therpy, and anti-inflammatory medications; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, state and national levels:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2015, as

PANDA/PANS Awareness Day

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 2nd day of October 2015.

Robert Bentley|
Governor