Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive neurodegenerative 
disease caused by the measles (rubeola) virus and is most often seen in 
children. Many affected children have a history of measles infection in the 
first years of life or exposure to the live measles virus vaccine. Typically, 
there is a rapid onset of neurological symptoms degenerating into a stuporous 
state in the patient. Four children and their families are reviewed. Their 
individual courses, medical and nursing problems and interventions, and 
implications for immunizations with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine will 
be discussed.