Earlier Onset of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis in Bangladeshi Children: Insights from a Case Series

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal neurodegenerative complication of measles, characterized by a progressive decline in neurological function. This case series described 42 children diagnosed with SSPE and received treatment at a tertiary neurology hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from the year 2019 to 2021. The median age at onset of was 4 years (range: 2.5-11 years), with a mean latent period of 2.68 ± 0.97 (SD) years. While 30 cases (71.4%) were immunized, 23 of these children developed SSPE despite receiving immunization after 9 months of age. Additionally, a small proportion of cases (n = 7) had a history of measles infection prior to the scheduled age of vaccination. Males predominated (88.1%) in this cohort. Clinical presentation typically involved speech and motor regression alongside the myoclonic jerks. These findings point toward an earlier onset and shorter latency period of SSPE in this population which demands further evaluation.