This is an epidemiologic review of 44 cases of sclerema neonatorum admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit [SCBU] at the Jordan University Hospital [JUH] between October 1975 and July 1980. The diagnosis was based on the clinical criteria laid down by Hughes in 1948. These cases constituted 7.2% of total admissions to the SCBU. The male to female ratio was 1.75: 1.0; 75% weighed under 2.5 kg; and 25% were members of twins. Those admitted during the colder months of December, January, and February were 56.8%. All patients, except one, were either referred from small private hospitals or home deliveries. Most patients were of low socioeconomic status. The average age on admission was five days; and 6.3 days for home deliveries versus 2.4 days for those referred from hospitals. The overall death rate was 50%; 65, 6% died on the first day of admission. The mortality rate for boys was 39.3% as compared to 68.7% for girls. The chance of survival was more than double in babies weighing 2.5 kg and over, compared to those between 1.5 and 2.49 kg. Mortality rate was much less in early admission and early life compared to those who were admitted late. The social implications of this latter fact is discussed. Improvement in social conditions as well as more awareness of the disease and earlier referral may decrease the mortality in this condition. Sclerema neonatorum is a condition of the newborn characterized by subcutaneous adipose derangement. Since the scholarly description by Hughes in 1948[1] its clinical picture remains basically unchanged. This condition appears to be more prevalent in developing societies[2] . With proper management, its course may become safer and markedly reduce deaths. The purpose of this paper is to review, from an epidemiological point of view, cases of sclerema neonatorum admitted to the JUH. Clinical findings shall be reported elsewhere