Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn
| Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn | |
|---|---|
| Other names | SCFN or SFN |
| Specialty | Pediatrics  |
Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare form of lobular
Signs and symptoms
Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SCFN) occurs in full-term newborns usually in the first six weeks of life as indurated plaques or erythematous to violaceous nodules on the cheeks, back, buttocks, or proximal extremities. Usually, the abdomen and chest are unaffected.[4] There has been a case report of SCFN with localized scalp alopecia covering an erythematous nodule.[5] Tenderness is common in lesions.[6]
About 50% of newborns with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SCFN) experience hypercalcemia, a potentially fatal consequence.[7] Some infants with SCFN experience anemia, hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated triglycerides.[8][9] Rarely, thrombocytosis is seen in infants with SCFN.[10]
Causes
Although the exact cause of the newborn's subcutaneous fat necrosis is unknown, several systemic maternal diseases, including preeclampsia and diabetes, as well as asphyxia, hypothermia, meconium aspiration, and obstetric trauma, may act as precipitating factors in the development of SCFN.[7]
Diagnosis
A skin biopsy and the clinical presentation must both be taken into account for the most accurate diagnosis.[11] But in order to prevent skin biopsy, ultrasonography examination has been shown to be useful in identifying the newborn's subcutaneous fat necrosis when combined with Doppler blood flow analysis; this usually indicates a subcutaneous high echo signal, either with or without calcifications.[12]
See also
- Pancreatic panniculitis
- Panniculitis
References
- S2CID 232160504.
- ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
- ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ^ "UpToDate". UpToDate. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- S2CID 235481677.
- S2CID 29283658.
- ^ PMID 30187956.
- S2CID 44286466.
- S2CID 26678688.
- PMID 32148979.
- ISSN 0009-9228.
- S2CID 29137741.
Further reading
- Lara, Leire González; Villa, Asunción Vicente; Rivas, María Mercedes Otero; Capella, Mariona Sunol; Prada, Fredy; Enseñat, María Antonia González (2017). "Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn: Report of Five Cases". Pediatrics & Neonatology. 58 (1). Elsevier BV: 85–88. PMID 28237247.
- Mitra, Subhabrata; Dove, Jennifer; Somisetty, Sateesh Kumar (2011-02-12). "Subcutaneous fat necrosis in newborn—an unusual case and review of literature". European Journal of Pediatrics. 170 (9). Springer Science and Business Media LLC: 1107–1110. S2CID 23109123.