Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn: A 20-Year Retrospective Study

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SFN) is a rare form of panniculitis that can be complicated by hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis. We conducted a 20-year retrospective cohort study of 30 patients to describe the clinical characteristics of SFN and the prevalence of hypercalcemia and other complications. Hypoxia and therapeutic hypothermia (TH) seem to play an important role in the development of SFN. Hypercalcemia developed in 63% of patients, three of whom developed nephrocalcinosis. There is a need for well-controlled prospective studies to determine the natural history, prevalence, and incidence of complications of SFN.