RD191 - 2021 Virginia Department of Health Report on the Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council

  • Published: 2022
  • Author: Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
  • Enabling Authority: Code of Virginia - § 32.1-73.10

Executive Summary:

The Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) advisory council is established in the Code of Virginia [§ 32.1-73.9] to advise the Commissioner of Health on research, diagnosis, treatment and education relating to PANDAS and PANS. The advisory council is required to report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1st of each year recommendations related to the following:

1. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS and PANS

2. Mechanisms to increase clinical awareness and education

3. Outreach to educators and parents to increase awareness

4. Development of a network of volunteer experts

The last annual report was submitted in December 2020, and the final approved minutes from the November 2020 meeting are included in Appendix B. Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact the scheduling of public in-person meetings. The advisory council held two virtual meetings in 2021. This document summarizes the advisory council’s activities for 2021. Prior year council activities are included in previous annual reports, which can be accessed on the General Assembly’s Legislative Information System website.