Sclerema neonatorum in a premature newborn: A case report

Abstract

Sclerema neonatorum (SN) is a rare condition of neonatal panniculitis with a poor prognosis and a high fatality rate. It clinically presents as hardening of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue extending throughout the body, sparing the fat‐free soles, palms, and genitalia. SN typically affects gravely ill, preterm neonates in the first week of life and diagnosis is often clinical. We report a case of an eight‐day‐old premature infant diagnosed with early‐onset neonatal sepsis who presented with clinical and histopathological features of SN. Despite early treatment of the sepsis with intravenous antibiotics and the SN with a topical corticosteroid cream and moisturiser, the infant died on the twelfth day of life.