Subcutaneous fat necrosis with hypercalcemia in a Nigerian neonate: A case report

Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SFN) of the newborn is a rare form of panniculitis. It usually occurs in perinatal stress and is usually complicated by metabolic disorders such as hypercalcemia. While the number of cases reported worldwide has increased, there are very few cases from Nigeria.

 We report the case of a Nigerian newborn admitted at 25 hours of life with macrosomia (birth weight of 4.7 kg) and perinatal asphyxia. On the fourth day of life, she developed reddened to dark, tender areas on the back (20 x 15 cm) and back of the arms, suggestive of SFN with elevated serum calcium. The baby received oral frusemide with the resolution of hypercalcemia by the 4th month of life.

Panniculitis, as a form of subcutaneous fat necrosis should be considered in a neonate with a history of perinatal asphyxia and macrosomia, which requires measurement of serum calcium levels.