There are some environmental factors that seem to increase the chance for someone to develop Tourette syndrome. Children whose mothers drank or smoked during pregnancy may be at greater risk. If there was a complication during birth or a baby has a low birth weight, that child may be more likely to be affected. In some cases, tics may develop after a strep infection, but this is still under investigation. When tics develop after a strep infection is is called Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal (PANDAS). More information about PANDAS can be found at [link url="www.pandasnetwork.org” target=”_blank”>PANDAS network. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between these environmental factors and Tourette syndrome. For a list of medical research being done on Tourette syndrome, contact the United States National Institutes of Health or search [link url="clinicaltrials.gov” target=”_blank”> clinicaltrials.gov.
Other Questions About Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
- Why is Tourette syndrome caused by a mutation in the SLITKR1[I] gene?
- Who else in my family could be at risk for Tourette syndrome?
- Where do I find a doctor who specializes in Tourette syndrome?
- What symptoms do people with Tourette syndrome have?
- What support groups are there for Tourette syndrome?
