Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn

Abstract

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SFN) is an uncommon disease that affects newborns who have suffered from tissue hypoxia during or following delivery. This disease appears during the first weeks of life. It consists of indurate, erythematous or purple-erythematous nodules and plaques in the skin. Histology of a biopsy specimen shows granulomatous necrosis in the subcutis with radial crystals in lipocytes and giant cells. Spontaneous resolution in a few weeks is usual, but the mobilization of calcium from the necrosed subcutis together with the action of some hormones may cause hypercalcemia and certain serious complications. A newborn female child developed SFN after dystocic delivery causing cerebral frontal lobe hemorrhage. The skin nodules resolved spontaneously in a few weeks and no complications were observed 1 year later.