A 2-year-old child in a measles-endemic area presents with fever, maculopapular rash starting at the hairline and progressing downward, coryza, and conjunctivitis. He develops respiratory distress and bilateral patchy lung infiltrates. The most feared complications of measles include all of the following EXCEPT:
- A Acute cerebellitis as the most common neurological complication ✓
- B Post-measles encephalitis (1 in 1000 cases)
- C Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)
- D Measles inclusion body encephalitis
Correct answer: A. Acute cerebellitis as the most common neurological complication
Explanation
Acute cerebellar ataxia is actually the most common neurological complication of varicella (chickenpox), not measles. The most common neurological complication of measles is acute post-infectious encephalomyelitis (occurring 1–2 weeks after rash, 1 in 1000 cases). SSPE is a fatal late complication occurring years after measles infection. Measles inclusion body encephalitis affects immunocompromised patients acutely. Pneumonia (giant cell pneumonia) is the most common cause of measles-related death.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.