Paediatric infections: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric infections: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Sample item

An 8-year-old who had measles at the age of one now has intellectual decline and repetitive myoclonic jerks. EEG shows periodic high-amplitude complexes. What is the diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

SSPE is a delayed complication, years after early measles, caused by persistent mutant virus in the brain. It gives dementia, myoclonus and periodic EEG complexes, with raised measles antibody in CSF. Measles vaccination prevents it.

Option by option

  • A. Herpes simplex encephalitis

    HSV encephalitis is acute with fever and temporal lobe changes.

  • B. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

    ADEM follows a recent infection or vaccine and is acute.

  • C. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

    Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy does not cause cognitive deterioration.

  • D. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (correct)

    Correct. Years after early measles, myoclonus and periodic EEG complexes indicate SSPE.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. SSPE is a delayed complication, years after early measles, caused by persistent mutant virus in the brain.

Why is "Herpes simplex encephalitis" not the answer?

HSV encephalitis is acute with fever and temporal lobe changes.

Why is "Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis" not the answer?

ADEM follows a recent infection or vaccine and is acute.

Why is "Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy" not the answer?

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy does not cause cognitive deterioration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in Pediatrics. It gives dementia, myoclonus and periodic EEG complexes, with raised measles antibody in CSF. Measles vaccination prevents it.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric infections: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.