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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The child who died suffered from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive brain disorder that usually develops two to 10 years after a measles infection.
—
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2025
Despite recovering from the original illness, the child ended up developing a rare disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which caused their death.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Their death was due to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 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
The child recovered, but years later developed a rare, progressive brain disorder known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), the department said.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 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
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Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2025
Despite recovering from the original illness, the child ended up developing a rare disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which caused their death.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Their death was due to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 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
The child recovered, but years later developed a rare, progressive brain disorder known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), the department said.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 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
Cite this Entry
“Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute%20sclerosing%20panencephalitis. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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