Severe hypertriglyceridemia due to subcutaneous fat necrosis in a newborn with asphyxia: A case report

Background: Subcutaneous fat necrosis is a rare form of adipose tissue inflammation in neonates that results from certain predisposing factors such as asphyxia at birth. Case Report: This report introduces a male neonate born at 38 weeks gestation with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The patient presented with an extensive erythematous skin lesion and subcutaneous nodules on the back and shoulders at four days of life. The baby had severe hypertriglyceridemia (834 mg/dl) after developing the lesion, which raised the diagnostic suspicion of subcutaneous fat necrosis. The hypertriglyceridemia resolved Over the next four and six months (82, 75 mg /dl, respectively). He had no other neurologic or metabolic abnormalities associated with subcutaneous fat necrosis. Conclusion: Although subcutaneous fat necrosis is self-limited and has a benign course, it can be associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia requiring careful investigation and monitoring.