Gangrene of the upper extremity in the newborn

Gangrene presenting at birth is a rare clinical problem; it results from di minished perfusion of a part of the body, usually the extremities. A variet y of aetiological factors may account for this situation. Arterial thrombos is, emboli, trauma, congenital heart disease, sepsis, coagulopathy, polycyt haemia, congenital bands, and birth trauma are some of the causes which sho uld be considered. In the majority of cases, an aetiological factor is not identified. The management of neonatal gangrene is usually conservative, pr eventing infection of the affected part and allowing the gangrenous portion to declare itself in order to optimise future reconstruction and rehabilit ation. In this paper, two cases of newborn with gangrene of an upper extrem ity are reported.