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Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn

FieldValue
nameSubcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn
synonymsSCFN or SFN

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare form of lobular panniculitis occurring in newborns that is usually self-remitting and non-recurring. Proposed causes include perinatal stress, local trauma, hypoxia and hypothermia, 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, hyperlipidemia, dehydration, hypoglycemia, seizures, vomiting, constipation, and thrombocytopenia, and can present months after the onset of SCFN symptoms.

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. There has been a case report of SCFN with localized scalp alopecia covering an erythematous nodule. Tenderness is common in lesions.

About 50% of newborns with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SCFN) experience hypercalcemia, a potentially fatal consequence. Some infants with SCFN experience anemia, hypoglycemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated triglycerides. Rarely, thrombocytosis is seen in infants with SCFN.

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.

Diagnosis

A skin biopsy and the clinical presentation must both be taken into account for the most accurate diagnosis. 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.

References

References

  1. (2021). "A Case Report and Anesthetic Considerations in Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn". A&A Practice.
  2. James, William D.. (2006). "Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology". Saunders Elsevier.
  3. Rapini, Ronald P.. (2007). "Dermatology: 2-Volume Set". Mosby.
  4. "UpToDate".
  5. (June 18, 2021). "Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn presenting as circular alopecia: a novel presentation". Wiley.
  6. (2007). "Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: a systematic evaluation of risk factors, clinical manifestations, complications and outcome of 16 children". Oxford University Press (OUP).
  7. (September 6, 2018). "Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn and associated hypercalcemia: A systematic review of the literature". Wiley.
  8. (August 30, 2016). "Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn: A 20-Year Retrospective Study". Wiley.
  9. (2003). "Complications of Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn: A Case Report and Review of the Literature". Wiley.
  10. (February 22, 2020). "Severe Thrombocytosis in a Newborn with Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis and Maternal Chorioamnionitis". Hindawi Limited.
  11. (July 9, 2018). "Firm, Indurated Plaques After Therapeutic Hypothermia". SAGE Publications.
  12. (December 10, 2014). "Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis in a Newborn after Brief Therapeutic Hypothermia: Ultrasonographic Examination". Wiley.
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This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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