Understanding progressive rubella pan encephalitis: a rare neurological disorder

Abstract

Progressive rubella panencephalitis (PRP) is a rare late complication of rubella that affects mainly teenagers. It is characterized by progressive white matter destruction, gliosis and cerebral atrophy, similar to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and congenital rubella syndrome. This paper examines the complexity of PRP, its clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, treatment and prophylaxis. PRP should be considered in adolescents with progressive dementia with pyramidal and cerebral dysfunction. With respect to the most affected children, survival and recovery is expected to be poor, with high mortality rates, especially in the first six months of life. The development of progressive spasticity, ataxia, mental deterioration and convulsions in late childhood and early childhood with mothers' rubella or stigmata histories is the subject of research on PRP. Therefore, continued efforts to understand and address PRP are important to improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment and ultimately the quality of life of affected persons.