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Metabolomic Characterization of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)

F Murgia, A Gagliana, MG Tanca, N Or-Geva, A Hendren, S Carucci, M Pintor, F Cera, F Cossu, S Sotgiu, L Atzori, A Zuddas. Metabolomic Characterization of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Frontiers in Neuroscience. Vol 15. 2021. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.645267  

  • Found unique plasma metabolic profile in PANS patients that is significantly different from healthy children
  • Suggests involvement of specific patterns of neurotransmission (tryptophan, glycine, histamine/histidine)
  • Suggests a general state of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (glutamine, 2-Hydroxybutyrate, and tryptophan-kynurenine pathway) in the disorder.
  • Offers new insights into biological mechanisms underpinning the disorder and supports research of other potential biomarkers implicated in PANS.
Sydenham Chorea Managed With Immunoglobulin in Acute Rheumatic Fever

Ali A, Anugwom G O, Rehman U, et al. (May 12, 2021) Sydenham Chorea Managed With Immunoglobulin in Acute Rheumatic Fever. Cureus 13(5): e14990. doi:10.7759/cureus.14990

Conclusions:  SC is a rare presentation of ARF. Without adequate treatment and supportive care, SC can cause severe functional impairment. ARF should be considered as a differential diagnosis in school-aged children presenting with choreiform movements. Chorea can be managed with antiepileptics and antipsychotics; however, evidence on IVIG use for chorea has also been reported. There is no international consensus on the standard choice of treatment; therefore, IVIG should be used in severe functional impairment when unresponsive to other therapies.