SR0237enr 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

09900SR0237 Enrolled LRB099 11500 GRL 32663 r

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 237

WHEREAS, Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) create the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, causing previously healthy and emotionally adjusted children to experience severe anxiety and emotional disturbances; and

WHEREAS, Children with PANS and PANDAS tend to manifest some of the following symptoms: tics or other abnormal movements, severe separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, irritability, aggression, personality changes, ADHD, marked deterioration in learning and school performance, and developmental regression, including deterioration in handwriting; and

WHEREAS, PANS is broader than PANDAS as it includes not only disorders associated with a preceding infection, such as Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Mono, Lyme, viruses, and more, but also acute onset non-infectious triggers, such as environmental factors and metabolic dysfunction; treatment plans similar to those for PANDAS should be attempted; and

WHEREAS, Children with PANS and PANDAS may experience moderate to dramatic improvement with antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, or plasmapheresis; and

WHEREAS, Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health are currently engaged in extensive research and testing on how to effectively treat PANS and PANDAS; and

WHEREAS, Researchers at Moleculera Labs at the University of Oklahoma have developed PANS and PANDAS blood testing procedures; and

WHEREAS, The organization PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support strives to build public awareness, educate medical providers about the disorder and treatments for same, build support for legislation involving the disorder, and provide support and resources for families affected by PANDAS/PANS, in accordance with Section 501(c)(3); and

WHEREAS, The actual number of children suffering from PANS and PANDAS has been estimated to be approximately one out of every 50 children in the United States; and

WHEREAS, PANS and PANDAS are likely to be as common as pediatric cancer and pediatric diabetes; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date of October 9 of 2015 and 2016 as PANS and PANDAS Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Wendy Nawara, President of PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support of Illinois.