By the Well-Rooted Pediatrics Team
Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are among the most complex and misunderstood conditions in pediatrics today.
For many families, the search for answers can be long and discouraging—filled with multiple diagnoses and medications that don’t fully explain what’s happening.
At Well-Rooted Pediatrics, we’re here to change that narrative.
PANDAS occurs when a strep infection triggers an autoimmune response that inflames the basal ganglia—the brain region responsible for movement, mood, and behavior.
PANS, or Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, causes similar symptoms but can be triggered by:
In both cases, the immune system misfires—attacking healthy brain tissue and setting off a storm of sudden behavioral and emotional changes.
PANS and PANDAS often appear abruptly—sometimes overnight.
Key signs include:
If your child suddenly “isn’t themselves,” an immune-based trigger could be behind it.
Conventional care often focuses on symptom management—antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or psychiatric meds.
While sometimes necessary, these approaches don’t always address why the immune system went off course.
Functional medicine takes a root-cause approach, addressing three critical pillars:
We test for and target infections like strep, mycoplasma, Lyme, or mold—many of which hide in biofilms, protective layers that make pathogens resistant to treatment.
Breaking down these biofilms helps the immune system (and targeted therapies) clear the infection effectively.
Next, we calm brain and immune inflammation using:
Through gut healing, sleep restoration, nervous system regulation, and stress support, we help the immune system relearn balance—preventing future flares.
You may have been told to focus on “nervous system regulation.”
And while calming therapies and supplements can help, they’re only one piece of the puzzle.
PANS/PANDAS isn’t just dysregulation—it’s infection-driven inflammation that affects the brain.
Until the root infections and immune triggers are addressed, the body can’t fully heal.
True recovery requires:
✅ Breaking down biofilms
✅ Targeted antimicrobial therapy
✅ Immune modulation
✅ Nervous system support as a complementary piece
Your child deserves more than symptom management—they deserve root-cause healing.
One of our patients—a teenage girl—struggled for years with anxiety, tics, and mood swings. After countless appointments and prescriptions, we discovered elevated strep and mycoplasma markers.
Six months after starting a comprehensive root-cause protocol, she was medication-free, thriving in school, and finally feeling like herself again.
When you address why the symptoms began, healing follows.
To identify each child’s unique triggers, our Well-Rooted team may use:
Every child’s plan is personalized—because no two immune systems behave the same.
PANS and PANDAS remind us how deeply connected the brain, immune system, and environment truly are.
At Well-Rooted Pediatrics, our mission is to uncover the “why” behind your child’s symptoms—and guide your family toward lasting recovery.
Because every child deserves more than symptom control.
They deserve balance, hope, and a care team that looks deeper. 💚
If you suspect your child may have PANS or PANDAS, there is hope.
Let’s uncover what’s driving your child’s symptoms together.
📞 Call: 815-322-9300
📍 Locations: Crystal Lake & Oak Brook, IL
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