PANS: An Under-recognized and Mis-treated Condition in Youth

Kiki Chang, MD, is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist in private practice in Palo Alto, California. From 1999 to 2017, he was on the faculty of the Stanford University School of Medicine, Division of Child Psychiatry, where he was director of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Clinic and Research Program, specializing in pediatric psychopharmacology and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. His research includes brain imaging, genetics, and Medic*tion and psychotherapy trials, designed to identify those at highest risk for bipolar disorder and methods to intervene to prevent its onset.

Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS/PANDAS) is an under-recognized yet not uncommon disorder that affects mostly youth 6-16 years old. Neuropsychiatric symptoms — including OCD, tics, anxiety, and mood and behavioral changes — follow an inflammatory event, such as an infection, and are often misdiagnosed as primary psychiatric disorders. The treatment is vastly different and instead may consist of NSAIDS, antibiotics, steroids, and other immunomodulators. This lecture will summarize the existing knowledge regarding the recognition, evaluation, and management of youth with PANS spectrum disorders.

• To consider various inflammatory etiologies of childhood psychiatric disease.
• To discuss criteria for and diagnostic workup of PANS.
• To learn about hierarchical treatments for youth with PANS.

The Child Mind Institute Visiting Professor Lecture Series invites leaders in the field of child and adolescent mental health to talk about the latest research and treatment protocols. All events are open to the public. Continuing medical education (CME) credits for psychiatrists and continuing education (CE) credits for psychologists and social workers are available to registered course participants. Learn more.

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