Sclerema neonatorum

Description

Sclerema neonatorum is an uncommon condition which typically affects gravely ill, preterm neonates in the first week of life. It manifests as a diffuse hardening of skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue such that the skin cannot be pitted or picked up and pinched into a fold. Histologically there is minimal inflammation without fat necrosis. It is associated with a high mortality.

Coding note from above levels

Conditions arising in the perinatal period, even though death or morbidity occurs later, should, as far as possible, be coded to chapter 19, which takes precedence over chapters containing codes for diseases by their anatomical site. For children less than 28 days old, assume that a reported condition developed in the perinatal period, unless the duration is stated and the onset was after the first completed week of life.

Exclusions from above levels

• 01 – Certain infectious or parasitic diseases - acquired after birth
• 02 – Neoplasms
• 05 – Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases