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

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Long term, measles rarely causes subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which is a fatal disease of the nervous system. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The virus also causes a rare but fatal neurological condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which typically strikes years after a child seemingly recovers from the infection. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 In babies, the measles virus can also cause a rare condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE — when a weakened form of the disease remains behind even after symptoms seem to clear. — Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 And in rare cases, the disease can cause a deadly form of brain inflammation called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which can develop up to 10 years after an infection. — Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

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 2 Sep. 2026.

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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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