Abstract
Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) of the newborn is an uncommon, self-limiting panniculitis mostly occurring within the first few weeks after birth. SCFN has been described mostly in term or post-term newborn infants in literature. We report a preterm infant developing extensive subcutaneous fat necrosis within the first week of life after significant perinatal hypoxic injury. The infant was conservatively managed for subcutaneous fat necrosis but developed hypercalcaemia and required prolonged medical treatment. Hypercalcaemia is a rare but serious complication of subcutaneous fat necrosis and needs prolonged follow-up. The etiopathogenesis of both subcutaneous fat necrosis in newborn and the resultant hypercalcaemia are poorly understood. Conclusion: Significant subcutaneous fat necrosis can develop in both preterm and term infants, and preterm infants also develop significant complications including hypercalcaemia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alos N, Eugène D, Fillion M, Powell J et al (2006) Pamidronate: treatment for severe hypercalcemia in neonatal subcutaneous fat necrosis. Horm Res 65(6):289–294
Bonnemains L, Rouleau S, Sing G, Bouderlique C et al (2008) Severe neonatal hypercalcemia caused by subcutaneous fat necrosis without any apparent cutaneous lesion. Eur J Pediatr 167:1459–1461
Borgia F, De Pasquale L, Cacace C, Meo P et al (2006) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: be aware of hypercalcaemia. J Paediatr Child Health 42(5):316–318
Burden AD, Krafchik BR (1999) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: a review of 11 cases. Pediatr Dermatol 16(5):384–387
Caple JI, Reyes S (1996) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: a case presentation. J Perinatol 16(2 Pt 1):140–141
Dudink J, Walther FJ, Beekman RP (2003) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: hypercalcaemia with hepatic and atrial myocardial calcification. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 88(4):F343–F345
Farooque A, Moss C, Zehnder D, Hewison M et al (2009) Expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1alpha-hydroxylase in subcutaneous fat necrosis. Br J Dermatol 160(2):423–425
Hicks MJ, Levy ML, Alexander J, Flaitz CM (1993) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn and hypercalcemia: case report and review of the literature. Pediatr Dermatol 10(3):271–276
Katz DA, Huerter C, Bogard P, Braddock SW (1984) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn. Arch Dermatol 120(11):1517–1518
Norwood-Galloway A, Lebwohl M, Phelps RG, Raucher H (1987) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn with hypercalcemia. J Am Acad Dermatol 16(2 Pt 2):435–439
Oswalt GC Jr, Montes LF, Cassady G (1978) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn. J Cutan Pathol 5(4):193–199
Tran JT, Sheth AP (2003) Complications of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: a case report and review of the literature. Pediatr Dermatol 20(3):257–261
Varan B, Gürakan B, Ozbek N, Emir S (1999) Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn associated with anemia. Pediatr Dermatol 16(5):381–383
Vonk J, Janssens PM, Demacker PN, Folkers E (1993) Subcutaneous fat necrosis in a neonate, in association with aberrant plasma lipid and lipoprotein values. J Pediatr 123(3):462–464
Walker WP, Smith RJ, Cohen MB (1993) Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn. Diagn Cytopathol 9(3):329–332
Conflict of interest
No funding or grant received for this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mitra, S., Dove, J. & Somisetty, S.K. Subcutaneous fat necrosis in newborn—an unusual case and review of literature. Eur J Pediatr 170, 1107–1110 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-011-1405-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-011-1405-x