PRINTER'S NO. 500
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
87
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY DAVIS, HENNESSEY, SCHWEYER, TOOHIL, READSHAW,
LONGIETTI, DiGIROLAMO, BAKER, V. BROWN, MURT, CHARLTON,
MILLARD, KINSEY, RYAN, BIZZARRO, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA,
FREEMAN, PASHINSKI, B. MILLER, WARREN, SCHLOSSBERG, KORTZ,
BOBACK, WATSON AND NEILSON, FEBRUARY 14, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 14, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating October 9, 2017, as "PANDAS Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania to inform and bring greater awareness of
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated
with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) to the general public
and medical community.
WHEREAS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) is a term used
to describe a subset of children who have obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD) or tic disorder symptoms following a
streptococcal infection, such as strep throat; and
WHEREAS, Children experience a sudden and dramatic onset of
symptoms that include motor or vocal tics and other personality
and behavioral changes, including ADHD symptoms, separation
anxiety, mood changes, aggression and irritability, eating
disorders, sleep disturbance, enuresis and deterioration in
motor and cognitive abilities; and
WHEREAS, Children with PANDAS exhibit an episodic course of
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symptoms, which involve a sudden onset or worsening of symptoms,
followed by a slow and gradual improvement; and
WHEREAS, The exact cause of this disorder is unknown, but
researchers are pursuing a theory that the antibodies produced
during a streptococcal infection mistakenly attack a part of the
brain called the basal ganglia, which is responsible for
movement and behavior; and
WHEREAS, PANDAS is often misdiagnosed and mistreated due to
limited knowledge and awareness of the disorder among the
general public and medical community; and
WHEREAS, Given that there are currently no approved lab
tests or consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS,
clinicians must use clinical diagnostic criteria and subjective
judgment; and
WHEREAS, Treatment options for children suffering from PANDAS
are the same for the standard treatment of OCD and tic
disorders, including cognitive behavioral therapy and anti-
obsessional medications, but antibiotics and intravenous
immunoglobulin may also be used; and
WHEREAS, The PANDAS Network, a nonprofit organization that
raises awareness of PANDAS, estimates that as many as 1 in 200
children have PANDAS in the United States, although the true
prevalence of the disorder is unknown; and
WHEREAS, Researchers at the National Institute of Mental
Health are currently conducting research on the cause of the
disorder and more effective treatment for children, but PANDAS
remains the subject of much debate and controversy; and
WHEREAS, It is evident that greater awareness of PANDAS is
necessary in the medical community in order to encourage
research on this life-altering disorder and more must be done to
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increase awareness activities at the national, State and local
levels; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October
9, 2017, as "PANDAS Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend parents,
advocacy organizations and health professionals dedicated to
improving the diagnosis and treatment of children with PANDAS in
their local communities.
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