Rapid progressive subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a 2-year-old child with congenital athyreosis

We present the unique case of a 2-year-old girl with congenital athyreosis who acquired primary measles virus infection at the age of 18 months, coinc identally with an Epstein-Barr virus infection. First neurologic symptoms o f subacute sclerosing panencephalitis appeared 5 months later, and the girl died within 6 months after a rapid progressive illness. Factors possibly p redisposing to this extraordinary disease course-primary measles virus infe ction at an early age and lack of evidence for immunodeficiency-are discuss ed.