Idiopathic peripheral gangrene: a case report and literature review.

An 11-month old male infant presented with dry idiopathic peripheral gangrene (IPG) of both feet. Subsequently spontaneous autoamputation occurred and the stump healed. Including this patient, 8 cases of IPG under 12 years of age seen at the Kenyatta National Hospital between 1978 and 1986 were analysed. 5 were males and 3 were females. All the 8 children except one had an illness preceding IPG. The literature is reviewed and the management is discussed.