تعريف
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a condition that affects the brain and spine. It is a gradual break down of nerve cells from constant swelling.
When left untreated, SSPE almost always leads to death. Contact your doctor right away if you think you or your child may have this condition.
أسباب
SSPE is caused either by an altered form of the measles virus or an abnormal immune response to measles. It occurs anywhere from 2-10 years after contracting measles.
عوامل الخطر
Factors that may increase the risk of SSPE include:
- Age: 5-15 years old
- الجنس : ذكر
- Measles infection in infancy
- Not being vaccinated against measles
- Ethnicity:
- Arabs and Sephardic Jews have an incidence that is six times higher than Ashkenazi Jews.
- Caucasians have a four-fold higher incidence than African Americans in the United States.
الأعراض
Symptoms of SSPE may include:
- Abnormal behavior
- التهيج
- Loss of intellectual abilities
- فقدان الذاكرة
- Involuntary movements
- النوبات
- عدم القدرة على المشي
- Speech impairment with poor understanding
- صعوبة في البلع
- العمى
- Muteness
- فقدان الوعي
التشخيص
Your doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Your bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done with blood tests.
قد يلزم التقاط صور لهياكل جسمك. يمكن القيام بذلك باستخدام:
- مخطط كهربية القلب (ECG، EKG)
- التصوير المقطعي (الاشعة المقطعية
- التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي (MRI).
العلاج
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan. Treatment options include:
Supportive Therapy
With advanced disease, tube feedings and nursing care may be necessary.
الأدوية
Anticonvulsant medications can reduce some symptoms of SSPE. In addition, there is some evidence that certain medications may help stabilize the disease and/or delay its progression. These may include:
- Inosine pranobex
- Interferon alpha
- Interferon beta
- Ribavirin
الوقاية
The best way to prevent SSPE is to get immunized to avoid contracting measles. The measles vaccine is generally given at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 or 11-12 years. If you have not been vaccinated, avoid contact with people who are infected with measles until all of their symptoms are gone.