Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SFN) of the newborn is an uncommon disorder, which occurs during the first years of life, and has been attributed to perinatal stress. Two typical cases are presented. This inflammatory disorder of adipose tissue affects primarily the back, buttocks, arms and thighs, and consists of sharply circumscribed, subcutaneous nodules and plaques. The lesions are red or violaceous and initially tender. Usually they involute spontaneously within months. Hypercalcemia, hypotonia, poor feeding, vomiting and fever are associated with SFN. The aetiology is still incompletely understood. Therapy is not required, except when associated with hypercalcemia.