Sclerema neonatorum in a premature newborn: A case report

Sclerema neonatorum (SN) is a rare condition of neonatal panniculitis with a poor prognosis and a high fatality rate. It clinically presents as hardening of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue extending throughout the body, sparing the fat-free soles, palms, and genitalia. SN typically affects gravely ill, preterm neonates in the first week of life and diagnosis is often clinical. We report a case of an eight-day-old premature infant diagnosed with early-onset neonatal sepsis who presented with clinical and histopathological features of SN. Despite early treatment of the sepsis with intravenous antibiotics and the SN with a topical corticosteroid cream and moisturiser, the infant died on the twelfth day of life.