Objective: We aimed to assess spectrum of movement disorders associated with pediatric SSPE.

Background: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder due to persistent mutant measles virus infection, affecting children and young adults. Although movement disorders are known to occur in SSPE, their spectrum is poorly described in literature.

Method: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study and enrolled consecutive children (1 month-18 years) with SSPE who fulfilled modified Dyken criteria. We collected demographic, clinical and laboratory features and modified Rankin score (mRS) and Jabbour stage at presentation. All children were exhaustively examined for movement disorders.

Results: We enrolled 30 children (20 males; 66.7%). Median age at presentation and onset was 5.4 (range: 2.5-14) years and 4.65 (1.5-14) years. Median duration of illness was 3 (0.3-36) months. Median mRS at presentation was 4 (2-5) and Jabbour staging 2 (1-3). Presenting complaints included myoclonus (n=28; 93.3%), cognitive issues (26; 86.7%), recurrent falls (12; 40%), seizures (10; 30%) and ataxia (5; 16.7%). Of these, 13 (43.3%) patients demonstrated movement disorders other than myoclonus. These included chorea/athetosis (4; 13.3%), tremor (3; 10%), parkinsonism (3; 10%), dystonia (2; 6.7%) and repetitive behaviors (2; 6.7%). There were no significant differences in terms of age at onset, sex, duration of illness or non-movement disorder clinical features among children with SSPE with and without movement disorders.

Conclusion: Movement disorders are a common clinical feature among children with SSPE. This possibility must be considered among children presenting with movement disorders, especially in combination with myoclonus and cognitive impairment.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/spectrum-of-movement-disorders-among-children-with-subacute-sclerosing-panencephalitis-sspe-a-cross-sectional-study/