Complications of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is an uncommon, self-limited panniculitis of neonates. Rare complications such as hypercalcemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypoglycemia have been reported. We describe the first case where all of the above complications were encountered in the same infant. Physicians caring for infants with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn should be aware of the above associations in order to provide prompt and appropriate treatment to prevent associated, undesirable sequelae.