Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a child six years after measles infection.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that remains endemic in many parts of the world, posing significant risks of severe and long-term complications. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy hospitalized for epilepsy with myoclonic spasms and cognitive decline. Clinical and paraclinical investigations, including electroencephalography, imaging tests, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, suggested a neurodegenerative process. The patient had contracted measles at the age of two and had not received full vaccination. Elevated measles-specific immunoglobulins and intrathecal focus of synthesis, as confirmed by the French National Reference Center, confirm the diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Despite initiation of antiviral and immunomodulatory treatments, the patient experienced a neurological deterioration, ultimately developing severe motor and cognitive impairment. This case highlights the severity of a rare but concerning pathology in the light of emerging measles epidemics and the decline in vaccination.