Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
26:48

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: July 4, 2007

17.9K

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: Disease profile in early childhood

Hanane Chettouh1, Karima Haddad1, Nafissa Mahieddine2

  • 1Nafissa Hamoud University Hospital Center, Algiers, Algeria.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|March 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is resurging in young children, often linked to measles infection and lack of vaccination. Early childhood SSPE presents with varied symptoms and may require genetic investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurodegenerative Disorders

Background:

  • Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a severe, progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by measles virus.
  • Recent measles epidemics have led to a concerning resurgence of SSPE.
  • Early childhood SSPE requires detailed investigation of its clinical, electrophysiological, and radiological features.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pathology of SSPE in early childhood.
  • To determine the clinical, electrophysiological, and radiological characteristics of SSPE in young children.
  • To highlight the importance of measles vaccination in preventing SSPE.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, descriptive study.
  • Inclusion of children aged 2-6 years hospitalized for subacute neurological disorders.
  • Data collected over a 3-year period (January 2020 - December 2022) at Nafissa Hamoud University Hospital, Algiers.

Main Results:

  • 47 patients (37 boys, 10 girls) aged 24-72 months were studied.
  • 87% were unvaccinated, and 80% had prior measles infection, often in infancy.
  • Clinical signs included seizures, movement disorders, cognitive decline, and encephalitis; EEG and MRI findings were often atypical.

Conclusions:

  • SSPE is not rare in early childhood, with a potentially short latency period after measles infection.
  • Clinical, EEG, and radiological signs in young children can be atypical.
  • Measles vaccination is crucial for SSPE prevention; genetic predisposition warrants further study.

Keywords:
EncephalitisMeaslesMyoclonusPeriodicVaccination

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

11.3K
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

19.3K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
219
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
32
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
29
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
32
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial...
48
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
32