Understanding when your child needs pediatric PANS and PANDAS care begins with recognizing sudden shifts in behavior. When a child’s personality, mood, or behavior seems to change overnight, it can be terrifying for parents. A child who was once happy, focused and calm may suddenly develop severe anxiety, obsessive behaviors, tics, mood swings, or regressions in learning—often seemingly without explanation.
For some children, the root cause of this dramatic shift is a condition known as PANS or PANDAS. These neuroimmune conditions are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, but a functional medicine approach can offer new hope by addressing the underlying causes and supporting the body’s natural healing systems.
Understanding PANS and PANDAS
PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) are conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the brain, leading to sudden and severe changes in a child’s behavior, mood and cognition.
- PANDAS is triggered specifically by a streptococcal infection (like strep throat).
- PANS is a broader term for similar symptoms triggered by other infections, immune triggers, environmental toxins, or even metabolic issues.
Symptoms often appear abruptly and dramatically and can include the following.
- Sudden onset of OCD or obsessive thoughts.
- Severe separation anxiety or mood swings.
- Motor or vocal tics.
- Regression in handwriting or academic performance.
- Urinary frequency or new sleep disturbances.
- Sensory sensitivities or restrictive eating.
These symptoms are not psychological alone – they are driven by an immune and inflammatory response affecting the brain.
Functional Medicine Looks Deeper at Treating PANS/PANDAS
Conventional treatments for PANS/PANDAS often include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or psychiatric medications to manage symptoms. While these may help, they don’t always address why the immune system became dysregulated in the first place.
Functional medicine takes a different approach. Rather than just treating symptoms, it focuses on finding and treating the root causes of immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation. This whole-body perspective often leads to more lasting improvements and fewer relapses.
5 Ways Functional Medicine Helps Children With PANS/PANDAS
Here’s how a functional pediatrician typically approaches these complex conditions and how functional pediatric medicine benefits your child.
1. Identify and Eliminate Triggers
Infections (such as strep, mycoplasma, Lyme or viruses) are common triggers, but so are heavy metals, mold exposure, or chronic inflammation from gut imbalance. Functional medicine uses comprehensive testing to identify hidden triggers and then works to eliminate them through appropriate antimicrobial therapy, detoxification, or lifestyle changes.
2. Calm Inflammation and Autoimmune Activity
Neuroinflammation is at the core of PANS/PANDAS symptoms. Functional care focuses on lowering inflammation through targeted nutrition (anti-inflammatory diets), supplements (like omega-3s, curcumin, or antioxidants), and lifestyle interventions that help regulate the immune system and reduce brain inflammation.
3. Support Gut and Immune Health
Because the majority of the immune system resides in the gut, addressing gut health is essential. This may include repairing the intestinal lining, rebalancing the microbiome, and identifying food sensitivities that contribute to inflammation. A strong, balanced gut helps regulate immune responses and reduces autoimmune activity.
4. Balance the Nervous System
Chronic stress can worsen autoimmune activity. Functional medicine often incorporates strategies to calm the nervous system. This includes improving sleep, addressing nutrient deficiencies, optimizing mitochondrial function and supporting detox pathways. These changes can help restore balance to the brain-immune connection.
5. Individualized Healing Plans
No two children with PANS/PANDAS are exactly alike. Functional medicine recognizes this and creates personalized treatment plans that address the unique triggers, imbalances and needs of each child. This may include a combination of antimicrobial therapy, nutritional interventions, detox support and lifestyle changes, all tailored to the individual.
Why Functional Medicine Works for PANS and PANDAS
The functional medicine approach is powerful because it treats the whole child, not just the label. By addressing infections, calming inflammation, restoring gut balance and supporting the immune and nervous systems, we create conditions where the body can heal, and symptoms often improve dramatically.
Many families report the following improvements.
- Reduced OCD, anxiety and tics
- Improved focus, mood and behavior
- Better sleep and school performance
- Fewer relapses or flare-ups
This integrative approach does not replace conventional care but rather complements it, offering a deeper level of healing and long-term wellness.
Treating the Root Causes of Pediatric PANS and PANDAS
PANS and PANDAS can be overwhelming, but they are also treatable. Understanding these conditions as immune-mediated brain inflammation (rather than purely behavioral or psychological problems) opens the door to new, more effective solutions.
A functional medicine approach goes beyond symptom management to uncover and address the root causes, giving children the best chance for recovery and resilience. With the right support, many children regain their health, rediscover their joy, and return to thriving in everyday life.
Talk to Us About Functional Medicine for PANS and PANDAS
Elite Personalized Medicine develops functional medicine treatment plans to address the underlying causes of childhood PANS and PANDAS. For assessments, screenings and treatment, visit one of our centers in Peachtree Corners or Dacula. Call (770) 416-1070 or request an appointment today.
