Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare form of lobular

panniculitis Panniculitis is a group of diseases whose hallmark is inflammation of subcutaneous adipose tissue (the fatty layer under the skin – panniculus adiposus). Symptoms include tender skin nodules, and systemic signs such as weight loss and fatigue. ...

occurring in newborns that is usually self-remitting and non-recurring. Proposed causes include perinatal stress, local trauma,

hypoxia Hypoxia means a lower than normal level of oxygen, and may refer to: Reduced or insufficient oxygen * Hypoxia (environmental), abnormally low oxygen content of the specific environment * Hypoxia (medical), abnormally low level of oxygen in the tis ...

and

hypothermia Hypothermia is defined as a body core temperature below in humans. Symptoms depend on the temperature. In mild hypothermia, there is shivering and mental confusion. In moderate hypothermia, shivering stops and confusion increases. In severe h ...

, though the exact cause is unknown. It has been suggested that the brown fat seen in newborns is more sensitive to hypoxic injury than fat seen in adults, and that such hypoxia, usually in the context of a complicated birth, leads to the fat necrosis. Complications can include

hypercalcemia Hypercalcemia, also spelled hypercalcaemia, is a high calcium (Ca2+) level in the blood serum. The normal range is 2.1–2.6 mmol/L (8.8–10.7 mg/dL, 4.3–5.2 mEq/L), with levels greater than 2.6 mmol/L defined as hypercalcemi ...

, hyperlipidemia, dehydration, hypoglycemia, seizures, vomiting, constipation, and

thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets, also known as thrombocytes, in the blood. It is the most common coagulation disorder among intensive care patients and is seen in a fifth of medical patients an ...

, and can present months after the onset of SCFN symptomsMatar, Marla. (2021). A Case Report and Anesthetic Considerations in Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn. ''A&A Practice'', ''15'', e01422. https://doi.org/10.1213/XAA.0000000000001422.

References

External links

eMedicine entry for Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn
Conditions of the subcutaneous fat {{Cutaneous-condition-stub

See also

References

External links