title: Subcutaneous fat necrosis and hypercalcemia following therapeutic hypothermia--a patient report and review of the literature.
abstract: Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) of the newborn is an uncommon dermatologic disorder characterized by firm, palpable subcutaneous nodules or plaques with or without erythema. Despite its benign course, SCFN may become complicated by extracutaneous manifestations. Hypercalcemia is considered a rare complication, but it is potentially fatal if unrecognized. During the last several years therapeutic hypothermia (TH) became an essential new therapeutic modality for severe neonatal asphyxia. We report a neonate who presented with SCFN and hypercalcemia following hypothermia therapy for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and provide a review of the contemporary literature on the topic. We believe that this is important since the use of TH is rapidly increasing, and therefore, the possible side effects including SCFN and hypercalcemia may also become more prevalent. This prompts the need for awareness by treating physicians for this complication.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zifman
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mouler
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eliakim
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nemet
authors.forename: Avishalom
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pomeranz
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000628:therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology*