Papers
Neurological complications of measles
Authors:
PS Gunaratne ,
Department of Neurology, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, LK
T Rajendran,
Department of Neurology, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, LK
S Tilakaratne
Department of Neurology, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, LK
Abstract
Objective To study the clinical features and course of neurological complications of measles.
Design Prospective study
Setting Neurology Unit, Teaching Hospital, Kandy
Patients 10 patients admitted with neurological complications of measles during an outbreak.
Mesurements Assessment of clinical features and the neurological investigations.
Results 6 had CSF IgM antibodies confirming a recent measles infection. 7 patients had encephalitis and 3 had myelitis. Complications had appeared 5 to 14 days after appearance of the rash. All patients with encephalitis had depressed level of consciousness (Glasgow coma scale 2 to 11) with seizures, 3 patients had lateralising signs, and assisted ventilation was required in 4. Cranial CTs were either normal or showed mild cerebral oedema. CSF analysis showed either normal or mildly raised protein without a cellular reaction. EEG in all 7 revealed diffuse delta activity. During the follow up period of 1 to 12 weeks, all showed a gradual improvement, except one who succumbed to respiratory complications of assisted ventilation. All others were left with some residual disability when last seen. Three patients with myelitis had symmetrical paraparesis. CSF protein was 60 to 80 mg/ml without a cellular reaction. All three improved without residual disability.
Conclusions Measles encephalitis is a life threatening complication. All three myelitis patients recovered completely within 5 to 8 weeks.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v46i2.6491
Ceylon Medical Journal 2001; 46(2): 48-50
How to Cite:
Gunaratne, P., Rajendran, T. and Tilakaratne, S., 2014. Neurological complications of measles. Ceylon Medical Journal, 46(2), pp.48–50. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v46i2.6491
Published on
30 Jan 2014.
Peer Reviewed
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