Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Presenting With Hemiparesis in Childhood: Case Report

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a chronic and fatal disease of the central nervous system. Most patients present with progressive psychointellectual disturbances. A 14-month-old girl was admitted to our hospital because of left-sided hemiparesis. During hospitalization, focal and generalized seizures occurred. The electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed that periodic lateralized discharges consisted of polyspike and high-voltage slow waves in the left hemisphere. The clinical and EEG findings and positive serology of measles in the cerebrospinal fluid were consistent with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. In conclusion, we suggest that subacute sclerosing panencephalitis be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal neurologic signs in infants. ( J Child Neurol 2003;18:363—365).