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Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis - Treatment

Alternative Names

SSPE; Subacute sclerosing leukoencephalitis; Dawson´s encephalitis

Treatment:

No cure for SSPE exists. However, certain antiviral drugs may slow the progression of the disease.

Expectations (prognosis):

Persons with this disease frequently die 1 to 2 years after diagnosis, but some may survive for longer periods. The condition is always deadly.

Complications:

Prior to death, there may be:

Behavior changes
Dementia
Stupor and coma
Seizures and subsequent injuries

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child has not completed their scheduled vaccines. The measles vaccine is included in the MMR vaccine.

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 8/24/2008
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Maldonado YA. Rubeola virus (measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis). In: Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2003:chap 227.

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