A Near Miss of a Retropharyngeal Abscess with MRSA in a 5-Week-Old Boy Due to an Unusual Presentation

A retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) in early childhood is not uncommon due to at-risk lymph nodes this deep neck space and typified by fever, odynophagia, a constellation of respiratory manifestations. However, RPA exceedingly rare the neonatal subpopulation part usual differential diagnosis algorithm age range. Herein, we present unique case previously healthy 5-week-old male infant with protracted “congestion” difficulty oral feeding, whose clinical course confounded intermittent, positional bradycardia subsequent apnea. He was eventually diagnosed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) RPA, leading concurrent vascular airways compromise form baroreceptor-mediated from mass-effect carotid body compression. This an important reminder that any vital sign changes should prompt urgent thorough investigation for extraordinary otherwise pathophysiologic states. The also highlights power multidisciplinary collaboration across multiple specialties parental advocacy unifying pediatric illnesses. Keywords: infections, abscess, MRSA, bradycardia, infection