October 09, 2026
WHEREAS, Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes (PANS) and its subset Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are serious inflammatory brain conditions caused by misdirected immune response following an infection such as Strep, Mycoplasma, Lyme, Epstein-Barr Virus, Influenza, COVID, and more; and,
WHEREAS, children with PANS/PANDAS generally experience the onset of three or more symptoms, including – obsessive-compulsive symptoms, food restrictions/eating disorder, anxiety/separation anxiety, mood swings, depression, irritability, aggression, oppositional behaviors, behavioral regression, deterioration in school work (losses in handwriting, math skills, etc), sensory or motor abnormalities, tics, ADHD-like symptoms, sleep problems, enuresis, and urinary frequency – which causes severe physical and emotional distress in the individual and financial and emotional stress on the families; and,
WHEREAS, there is an estimated 1 new case of PANS/PANDAS per 11,000 children each year (PANS/PANDAS is not a rare condition, just rarely diagnosed) resulting in an estimated accumulated prevalence of 1 in 200 children that may be impacted by PANS/PANDAS – making it likely as common as Pediatric Cancer and Juvenile Diabetes – and can seriously affect the healthy outcome of a child’s life; and,
WHEREAS, effective treatment varies by the needs of the child, and can be as simple as generic antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication, but in more serious cases may also include steroids, IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin), plasmapheresis, and cognitive behavioral therapy; and,
WHEREAS, in all cases, early diagnosis and treatment is critical and leads to better outcomes; and,
WHEREAS, a lack of awareness by parents and in the medical community can lead to the misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose many children suffering from PANS/PANDAS resulting in increased costs to taxpayers from children requiring additional special services within the school system, intensive inpatient psychiatric and residential care often paid by medical insurers, Medicaid, or families, and failure to treat can result in lifetime disability insurance payments; and,
WHEREAS, eighteen states to date have recognized a strong interest in protecting these children by passing legislation making full treatment benefits available to them and their families; and,
WHEREAS, this month, the State of Michigan joins in the cause to increase awareness, to support quicker and more accurate diagnoses, and to encourage greater support for all children and families affected by PANS/PANDAS across Michigan;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2026, as PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day in Michigan.
