subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

noun

subacute sclerosing pan·​en·​ceph·​a·​li·​tis -ˌpan-in-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs How to pronounce subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (audio)
: 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
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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

Word History

Etymology

panencephalitis from New Latin, from pan- + encephalitis

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis was in 1950

Rhymes for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

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Browse Nearby Words

subacute
subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
subadolescent
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Cite this Entry

“Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute%20sclerosing%20panencephalitis. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

noun
: a usually fatal neurological disease of children and young adults that is caused by infection of the brain by a previously latent morbillivirus causing measles and that is marked especially by behavioral changes, myoclonic seizures, progressive deterioration of motor and mental functioning, and coma
—abbreviation SSPE

More from Merriam-Webster on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

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