Double Aortic Arch: An Uncommon Cause of Pediatric Airway Compression

Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare congenital anomaly of the aortic arch that forms a complete vascular ring, causing compression of both the trachea and esophagus. The diagnosis is often made only after the child becomes symptomatic. DAA can present significant challenges during anesthetic induction due to dynamic airway obstruction. We report the case of a 5-month-old infant who presented with respiratory distress and feeding difficulties, later diagnosed with DAA causing tracheal and esophageal compression. The case highlights the importance of early recognition, careful airway planning, and multidisciplinary perioperative management.