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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
In addition to neurological and respiratory complications from measles infections, which can demonstrably turn deadly, measles can cause subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal neurological condition that can flare seven to 10 years after a measles infection.
—Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
Worried, the teen's parents took him to a series of doctors to figure out what was wrong, until a pediatric neurologist finally suspected a condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
The other big long-term complication that can happen after a measles infection is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Medical complications can include pneumonia, deafness, blindness, encephalitis (brain swelling) and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a progressive neurological disease.
—Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025
Among people who contracted the measles during the U.S. outbreak in 1989-1991, seven to 11 of every 100,000 were estimated to be at risk for developing subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
—USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 19 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
In addition to neurological and respiratory complications from measles infections, which can demonstrably turn deadly, measles can cause subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a fatal neurological condition that can flare seven to 10 years after a measles infection.
—Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
Worried, the teen's parents took him to a series of doctors to figure out what was wrong, until a pediatric neurologist finally suspected a condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
The other big long-term complication that can happen after a measles infection is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Medical complications can include pneumonia, deafness, blindness, encephalitis (brain swelling) and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a progressive neurological disease.
—Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025
Among people who contracted the measles during the U.S. outbreak in 1989-1991, seven to 11 of every 100,000 were estimated to be at risk for developing subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
—USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute%20sclerosing%20panencephalitis. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share