Perinatal gangrene of the buttock: an iatrogenic or spontaneous condition?

Three cases of neonatal gangrene of the buttock are reported. They were characterized by: localization to the skin and muscles of one buttock; sudden onset, minutes after birth; sciatic palsy in two of three and absence of known causes, except for an umbilical injection at birth in two of three. This procedure seems responsible in the first two; the etiology of the apparently spontaneous third case is discussed.