Prevalence of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) in children and adolescents with eating disorders

SUMMARY

Prevalence of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) in children and adolescents with eating disorders screened 100 children from a pediatric eating disorder specialty program that met criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis according to the DSM-5 criteria. Results from a parent answered PANS and PANDAS questionnaire revealed that 52% met the criteria for PANS, while none met the criteria for PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). Of note, the initial research subgroup of PANDAS focused on abrupt onset of OCD and/or tics, whereas the central criteria for PANS includes the abrupt onset of OCD and/or severely restrictive food intake.

Among those meeting PANS criteria, 63.5% exhibited both abrupt onset obsessive-compulsive symptoms and abrupt onset food restriction, 25% presented with food restriction alone, and 11.5% displayed obsessive-compulsive symptoms without food restriction. Compared to non-PANS participants, the PANS group had a lower proportion of males and a higher likelihood of being prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but no significant differences were found in onset age, body mass index, eating disorder type, or psychiatric/medical comorbidities.

This study suggests a notably higher prevalence of PANS symptoms in the pediatric eating disorder population than previously observed in OCD and tic disorder cohorts.

LINK TO PAPER: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00707-6