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CC BY 4.0 · Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1802641
Pathology Corner

Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn

Saba Shafi
1   Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
,
Samir B. Kahwash
1   Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
2   Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States
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Abstract

This is an image-based clinical vignette showing pathologic findings typical of subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SFNN). The infant—a 15-month-old girl—presented with indurated subcutaneous masses of unknown etiology. This case is a reminder that SFNN, while more common in the newborn period, can occur throughout infancy. It also reminds us that the rare metabolic disorder (Lesch–Nyhan syndrome) may be associated with lesions that can appear somewhat similar under the microscope.

Keywords

subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn - light polarization - gout - Lesch–Nyhan syndrome - skin nodules

Authors' Contributions

S.B.K. made the diagnosis, wrote the first draft, and prepared the composite photo. S.S. performed literature search and edited the manuscript.


Compliance with Ethical Principles

None.




Publication History

Article published online:
17 February 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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