Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background: Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SCFN) is an uncommon panniculitis of neonates. It occurs in the first few days to 2 to 3 weeks of life following complicated delivery. It is associated with hypercalcemia in approximately 36 to 56 percent of affected neonates. Therefore, the main goal of management is detection and treatment of hypercalcemia. Case Presentation: A case of a 6 weeks old Ethiopian female infant with complicated delivery history who presented to the dermatology clinic following an incidental finding of asymptomatic skin bumps, later developing vomiting and loss of appetite. SCFN with severe Hypercalcemia was diagnosed and patient was managed with IV normal saline rehydration and maintenance with susequent recovery. She was discharged on follow up.
Conclusion: High index of suspicion is required when evaluating pediatric age group patients with SCFN to look out for life threatening metabolic complications. SCFN should also be considered as a differential in infants who present with unexplained hypercalcemia and patient should be evaluated for any dermatologic lesions.