Senate Engrossed

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-first Legislature

Second Regular Session

2014

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION 1007

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION

 

proclaiming October 9 of each year as PANS, PANDAS and PITAND Awareness Day in the State of Arizona.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


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, pediatric infection-triggered autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PITAND) is similar to PANS and PANDAS in terms of presentation, except that PITAND can be triggered by numerous infections, including mycoplasma, pneumonia, mononucleosis, Lyme disease, viruses and more; and

Whereas, children with PANS, PANDAS and PITAND 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, PANDAS and PITAND; and

Whereas, researchers at Moleculera Labs at the University of Oklahoma have developed PANS, PANDAS and PITAND blood testing procedures; and

Whereas, PANDASNetwork.org is a nonprofit organization that raises the awareness about PANS, PANDAS and PITAND; and

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

Whereas, PANS, PANDAS and PITAND are likely 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 State of Arizona:

1.  That the Members of the Senate proclaim October 9 of each year as PANS, PANDAS and PITAND Awareness Day in the State of Arizona.

2.  That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Health Services, Dr. Susan Swedo at the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Madeleine Cunningham at Moleculera Labs at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and the website administrator of PANDASNetwork.org.