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1
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 237

 
2    WHEREAS, Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome
3(PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder
4associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) create the
5sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children,
6causing previously healthy and emotionally adjusted children
7to experience severe anxiety and emotional disturbances; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Children with PANS and PANDAS tend to manifest
9some of the following symptoms: tics or other abnormal
10movements, severe separation anxiety, generalized anxiety,
11irritability, aggression, personality changes, ADHD, marked
12deterioration in learning and school performance, and
13developmental regression, including deterioration in
14handwriting; and
 
15    WHEREAS, PANS is broader than PANDAS as it includes not
16only disorders associated with a preceding infection, such as
17Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Mono, Lyme, viruses, and more, but also
18acute onset non-infectious triggers, such as environmental
19factors and metabolic dysfunction; treatment plans similar to
20those for PANDAS should be attempted; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Children with PANS and PANDAS may experience
22moderate to dramatic improvement with antibiotics, intravenous

 

 

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1immunoglobulin treatment, or plasmapheresis; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Researchers at the National Institute of Mental
3Health are currently engaged in extensive research and testing
4on how to effectively treat PANS and PANDAS; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Researchers at Moleculera Labs at the University
6of Oklahoma have developed PANS and PANDAS blood testing
7procedures; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The organization PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support
9strives to build public awareness, educate medical providers
10about the disorder and treatments for same, build support for
11legislation involving the disorder, and provide support and
12resources for families affected by PANDAS/PANS, in accordance
13with Section 501(c)(3); and
 
14    WHEREAS, The actual number of children suffering from PANS
15and PANDAS has been estimated to be approximately one out of
16every 50 children in the United States; and
 
17    WHEREAS, PANS and PANDAS are likely to be as common as
18pediatric cancer and pediatric diabetes; and
 
19    WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public
20awareness of this serious health issue; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date
3of October 9 of 2015 and 2016 as PANS and PANDAS Awareness Day
4in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to Wendy Nawara, President of PANDAS/PANS Advocacy
7and Support of Illinois.