What is sclerosing panencephalitis?
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What is sclerosing panencephalitis?
Definition. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive neurological disorder of children and young adults that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is a slow, but persistent, viral infection caused by defective measles virus.
Is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis rare?
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare neurological disease of childhood or young adulthood.
How do you prevent subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
Immunization against measles is the only known prevention for SSPE. The measles vaccine has been highly effective in reducing the numbers of affected children. Measles immunization should be done according to the recommended American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control schedule.
Is SSPE fatal?
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a very rare, but fatal disease of the central nervous system that results from a measles virus infection acquired earlier in life. SSPE generally develops 7 to 10 years after a person has measles, even though the person seems to have fully recovered from the illness.
What are the risk factors for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
A statistically significant positive correlation was found between risk of SSPE and early measles infection, large family, overcrowding in the home, older age of the mother, higher birth order, fewer years of schooling of the parents, fewer cultural activities, and rural place of birth.
Which disease has a very rare side effect called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?
An abnormal reaction by your immune system to the measles virus, or rubeola, is likely the cause. It causes inflammation, swelling, and irritation of your brain. It may occur years after you recover from the measles. SSPE is a rare disease.
How rare is a case of SSPE?
It is relatively rare in the western world, while the incidence is still high in Middle East and India where measles virus infection is common. The annual incidence of SSPE in developing countries is 10-20 per million population [2].
