# Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a child six years after measles infection

## TL;DR

A child developed severe neurological complications six years after a measles infection, highlighting the long-term risks of measles and the importance of vaccination.

## Contribution

This case report emphasizes the rare but severe complication of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis following measles in an unvaccinated child.

## Key findings

- The patient showed elevated measles-specific immunoglobulins and intrathecal synthesis, confirming subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
- Neurological deterioration occurred despite antiviral and immunomodulatory treatments.
- The case underscores the risks of measles and the consequences of low vaccination rates.

## Abstract

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that remains endemic in many parts of the world, posing significant risks of severe and long-term complications. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy hospitalized for epilepsy with myoclonic spasms and cognitive decline. Clinical and paraclinical investigations, including electroencephalography, imaging tests, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, suggested a neurodegenerative process. The patient had contracted measles at the age of two and had not received full vaccination. Elevated measles-specific immunoglobulins and intrathecal focus of synthesis, as confirmed by the French National Reference Center, confirm the diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Despite initiation of antiviral and immunomodulatory treatments, the patient experienced a neurological deterioration, ultimately developing severe motor and cognitive impairment. This case highlights the severity of a rare but concerning pathology in the light of emerging measles epidemics and the decline in vaccination.