[Cytosteatonecrosis of the newborn infant]

Cytosteatonecrosis of the newborn (CSNN) is an acute hypodermatitis that appears within the first four weeks of life. It essentially develops in infants born at term or postmature, and following a difficult delivery. THE LESIONS: The lesions are more or less extended sub-cutaneous nodules or inflammatory plaques on the body that regress spontaneously, without after effects, within one to four months. A cutaneous biopsy, rarely required for diagnosis, reveals a granulomatous reaction to a foreign body in a necrosed subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Although the progression is generally benign, it may be complicated by the occurrence of hypercalcemia. The management of these infants justifies the regular monitoring of blood calcium levels and treatment of an eventual hypercalcemia.