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SJR 69 - Enrolled - PDF
SJR69
191533-2
By Senator Ward
RFD: Rules
First Read: 15-FEB-18
SJR69
SJR69
ENROLLED, SJR69,
RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 9, 2018, AS PANDAS AWARENESS DAY
IN ALABAMA.
WHEREAS, pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric
disorder associated with streptococal infection (PANDAS)
create the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder in
children, causing previously health 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, personalty changes,
attention deficit hyperactive disorder, marked deterioration
in learning and school performance, and developmental
regression, including regression in handwriting; and
WHEREAS, children with PANS and PANDAS may
experience a moderate to dramatic improvement with
antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, or
plasmapheresis; and
SJR69
WHEREAS, researchers at the National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH) 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 University of Arizona and Banner Health
System in Arizona have opened the first Centers for
Post-Infectious Autoimmune Encephalopathy, providing
insurance-based access to expert care and consultative
services for general and subspecialist pediatricians around
the country; and
WHEREAS, the medical and bioscience resources in
Alabama make our state well situated to meaningfully
contribute to best medical practices, research, and medical
technology to advance the early diagnosis and treatment of
children with PANS and PANDAS; and
WHEREAS, the NIMH estimates one in 200 children have
PANS or PANDAS, meaning these diseases affect roughly 15,000
children in Alabama; and
WHEREAS, many general pediatricians, nurse
practitioners, and pediatric subspecialists are not familiar
with the most current diagnostic criteria and treatment
guidelines for these disorders; and
SJR69
WHEREAS, in addition to lack of access to treatment
providers, many insurers do not cover treatment for PANS and
PANDAS, which can cost many tens of thousands of dollars,
placing it out of reach for most families; and
WHEREAS, the Southeastern PANS/PANDAS Association
(SEPPA) is a Georgia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to
expanding access to expert, insurance-based care for children
and families suffering from PANS and PANDAS in this region;
and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be greater
public awareness of this serious health issue among parents,
policy makers, and medical providers in Alabama; now
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we recognize October 9, 2018,
as PANDA Awareness Day in Alabama.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the
Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies
of this resolution available for distribution to the public
and the press.
SJR69
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
SJR69
Senate 22-FEB-18
I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution
originated in and was adopted by the Senate.
Patrick Harris,
Secretary.
House of Representatives
Adopted: 01-MAR-18
By: Senator Ward