Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare but fatal progression of measles, marked by a series of neurological stages leading to death. Symptoms begin with mood changes and decline into severe cognitive and motor dysfunctions, including jerking movements and potential blindness. In a particular case, a boy exhibited rapid, erratic eye movements, known as opsoclonus, which medical professionals believe is linked to SSPE. Despite treatment attempts using antiviral drugs, the prognosis remains dire, underscoring the critical need for measles vaccinations to prevent such outcomes.
SSPE develops progressively, starting with mood swings and ending in coma. The condition primarily affects children post-measles infection, with 95 percent mortality.
In the boy's case, his parents noted jerky movements and cognitive decline marked by imaging showing lesions and elevated anti-measles antibodies in his cerebrospinal fluid.
His rapid eye movements, or opsoclonus, are often seen in brain inflammation conditions, believed to stem from the loss of specialized neurons.
Despite treatments, the lasting impacts of SSPE can lead to severe outcomes, highlighting the importance of measles prevention.
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