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Published on: September 20, 2018
Rapid progressive subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a 2-year-old child with congenital athyreosis
G M Lackmann1, M Hannen, F Madjlessi
1Department of Pediatrics, Heinrich-Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Insights
A young child with congenital athyreosis experienced a rapid, fatal course of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) following concurrent measles and Epstein-Barr virus infections. Early measles infection may have contributed to this aggressive SSPE presentation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Congenital athyreosis is a rare condition affecting thyroid hormone production.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, progressive neurologic complication of measles virus infection.
- Concurrent viral infections can alter disease presentation and severity.
Abstract:
We present the unique case of a 2-year-old girl with congenital athyreosis who acquired primary measles virus infection at the age of 18 months, coincidentally with an Epstein-Barr virus infection. First neurologic symptoms of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis appeared 5 months later, and the girl died within 6 months after a rapid progressive illness. Factors possibly predisposing to this extraordinary disease course-primary measles virus infection at an early age and lack of evidence for immunodeficiency-are discussed.
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