Extensive Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn Diagnosed by Minimally Invasive Ultrasound in a NICU Setting

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare disorder that occurs during the first weeks of life. We report the case of a 4-week-old male infant with severe hypercalcemia complicated by nephrocalcinosis and calcium-induced arrhythmias, who was found to have extensive rubbery-to-firm nodules and plaques distributed on the neck and back and severe hypercalcemia. Ultrasound demonstrated increased focal echogenicity of the subcutaneous fat, confirming the diagnosis of subcutaneous fat necrosis. This case highlights the utility of using ultrasonography as a minimally invasive and rapid tool for diagnosis of subcutaneous fat necrosis.