Abstract
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a
chronic slow progressive neurodegenerative
disease that is often associated with measles
complications. The disease is characterized by
seizures, behavioral changes, motor deficit and
eventually death. In this case report we discuss the
case of an 8-year-old male who developed SSPE
and was presented to our hospital with a history of
generalized tonic colonic convulsion followed by
gait abnormality, episodes, abnormal behaviors,
and cognitive regression. On clinical exploration,
the child had a history of measles at 8 months of
age and meningitis at 18 months. The
electroencephalogram (EEG) investigation showed
high amplitude spikes, with focal seizure and
slowing, while the magnetic resonance imaging
reveal signals synonymous with high fluidattenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), both of
which are consistent with probable SSPE. The case
was managed symptomatically; until his parents
decided to take him back home, after which his
condition deteriorated, and he sadly died. To the
best of our knowledge, this is the first recorded
case of SSPE in Mogadishu, Somalia. Hence, the
need to further investigation to better understand
the incidence of the disease in the population and
propose better ways of managing the condition.