subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
noun
subacute sclerosing pan·en·ceph·a·li·tis
-ˌpan-in-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs 
: a usually fatal neurological disease of children and young adults caused by infection of the brain by a previously latent measles virus that is marked especially by behavioral changes, myoclonic seizures, progressive deterioration of motor and mental functioning, and coma
Examples of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a Sentence
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Despite recovering from the original illness, the child ended up developing a rare disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which caused their death.
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Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Specifically, the child died of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare, but always fatal complication that strikes years after an initial measles infection.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
In rare cases, measles can also lead to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal brain disease that can appear seven to 10 years after someone has had measles.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 July 2025
And years after contracting measles, people can later develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, a rare but fatal complication resulting from a weakened form of the virus remaining in the body, and later infecting the brain.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Measles can also cause a rare but fatal central nervous system condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis years after someone is initially exposed.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2025
In extremely rare cases, adults and children develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal disease of the central nervous system.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
Another type, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), is a degenerative condition that can occur up to a decade after a measles infection.
—Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
This condition, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, is a progressive dementia that is almost always fatal.
—Peter Kasson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
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Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Specifically, the child died of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare, but always fatal complication that strikes years after an initial measles infection.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
In rare cases, measles can also lead to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal brain disease that can appear seven to 10 years after someone has had measles.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 July 2025
And years after contracting measles, people can later develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, a rare but fatal complication resulting from a weakened form of the virus remaining in the body, and later infecting the brain.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Measles can also cause a rare but fatal central nervous system condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis years after someone is initially exposed.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2025
In extremely rare cases, adults and children develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal disease of the central nervous system.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
Another type, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), is a degenerative condition that can occur up to a decade after a measles infection.
—Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
This condition, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, is a progressive dementia that is almost always fatal.
—Peter Kasson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute%20sclerosing%20panencephalitis. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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