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Subacute-sclerosing Panencephalitis

Background

Subacute-sclerosing Panencephalitis: SSPE

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a serious viral encephalitis of children and young adults. It is a late manifestation of measles virus infection, developing between usually six to 12 years after natural measles infection. Cases can also follow immunization with measles vaccine but at a lesser frequency than after natural measles. The annual incidence is about 1 in 1,000,000. It is believed that measles immunisation significantly reduces the risk of developing SSPE. Males are more commonly affected, as are those living in rural areas. Mortality is very high. Those who survive do so with considerable intellectual and also physical impairment.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written November 2001 by Dr R Appleton. Last updated January 2006 by Dr R Appleton, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.

 

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