Superior Vena Cava Syndrome in an Infant: A Case of Delayed Diagnosis

Abstract

This case presents an infant boy with neonatal respiratory distress and sepsis, who was eventually diagnosed with and treated for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome after three months of fluctuating head and neck edema. While SVC syndrome is uncommon in pediatrics and is usually caused by malignancy-associated external compression, the growing use of central venous catheters in these patients makes catheter-related thrombosis a potential cause of this serious complication. This case of delayed diagnosis highlights the importance of investigating SVC syndrome as a potential cause of respiratory distress and edema in any patient with a history of central venous catheter placement or similar procedures.