Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn

Abstract

A case of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is described. Severe perinatal asphyxia preceded the appearance of the skin lesions. Premature rupture of membranes and the presence of foul-smelling meconium raised the possibility of infection by anaerobes as an additional etiologic factor. The main hypotheses concerning the cause and pathogenesis of this condition are reviewed. The alarming clinical picture that stands in sharp contrast to the benign prognosis is stressed.

Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn and Hypercalcemia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Neonatal stress may exacerbate this defect and increase the susceptibility to SCFN. Second, SCFN has been related to hypothermia due to subcutaneous fat composition in neonates (20,21). This fat is composed of saturated fatty acids (steadc and palmitic acids) with a relatively high melting point (64°C); adult fat, rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, has a melting point of 14°C.…”

An Infant With Firm, Fixed Plaques

“…In the setting of hypothermia, saturated fats may crystallize, resulting in necrosis. 1,3,4 Finally, some authors believe that an underlying defect in fat composition or metabolism coupled with perinatal stress precipitates the condition. 1 Hypercalcemia may complicate subcutaneous fat necrosis, typically beginning 1 to 4 months after the onset of skin lesions.…”

Sclerema Neonatorum and Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn

“…More recently it was proposed that perinatal asphyxia resulted in a redistribution of the blood circulation, providing increased oxygenation to the vital organs with relative ischemia to the skin and subcutaneous tissues (37).…”