Yes, strep throat can cause obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children. There is an apparent association between a recent history of Group A beta haemolytic streptococcal infection (GABHS) and the development of OCD symptoms. The development of OCD or tics with a recent history of GABHS infection has been termed PANDAS, which stands for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection (Lynch et al., 2006).
It is important to have your child see the doctor if they have OCD symptoms with a recent history of strep throat. The reason for this is that the OCD symptoms will not be relieved by traditional treatments for anxiety disorders and OCD. If your child has PANDAS, then they may require medical treatments aimed at the recurrent GABHS infections, which may require antibiotic treatment or a tonsillectomy (Lynch et al., 2006).
Reference:
PANDAS (Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection). Lynch NE, Deiratany S, Webb DW, McMenamin JB. Ir Med J. 2006 May;99(5):155.
