title: Subcutaneous fat necrosis causing neonatal hypercalcaemia.
abstract: Hypercalcaemia in neonates is rare and often asymptomatic, but can have significant morbidity. If severe, it can cause symptoms including irritability, vomiting and seizures. We present the case of a baby girl, born at term after a traumatic delivery, who developed severe hypercalcaemia with nephrocalcinosis. She had several large areas of subcutaneous fat necrosis following delivery, with prolonged low-level elevation of C reactive protein. Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare and underdiagnosed condition, often accompanied by high plasma calcium. Although self-limiting, it is important to recognise and treat this condition to minimise kidney damage, and to avoid unnecessary investigations or treatment with long courses of antibiotics. The infant recovered well, although a degree of nephrocalcinosis remains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, South-West London Pathology Network, Croydon, UK.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tuddenham
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Croydon University Hospital, Croydon, UK.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, South-West London Pathology Network, Croydon, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarn
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D009336:Necrosis; D009397:Nephrocalcinosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology*; D047929:Term Birth
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002118:Calcium