MANCHESTER, N.H. —

The Portsmouth Memorial Bridge was lit green Thursday in honor of World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day.

PANS and PANDAS are acronyms for neuroimmune disorders that can affect children after infections like strep or the flu.

The disorders can cause sudden-onset obsessions and compulsions, severely restricted food intake, motor or vocal tics, sleep disturbances, and sensory issues.

"PANDAS means that it was triggered by a strep infection and as you know, strep is a really common infection in children and most people are not aware of the fact that it can trigger immune responses that lead to an organ dysfunction in the kidneys and the heart and also in the brain," said Dr. Juliette Madan of Dartmouth Health Children's.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte designated Oct. 9 as PANS/PANDAS Awar

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