Objective: To explore the pathogenic factors, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment principles of retropharyngeal abscess in children. Methods: The misdiagnosis and mistreatment of 2 children with retropharyngeal abscess admitted in our hospital recently were analyzed and summarized combing relevant literature. Results: Case 1 was misdiagnosed as "cervical lymphadenitis" because of repeated fever and cervical mass. The cervical mass improved after treatment but enlarged again. The color Doppler ultrasound of neck showed huge cystic mass in neck, which was proved retropharyngeal abscess after treatment. Case 2 suffered with fever, cough, sore throat, foreign body sensation, hoarseness, sore throat, bilateral cheek swelling and pain, gradually spread to the neck, with limited movement, shortness of breath, unable to speak, and was misdiagnosed as "acute laryngotracheobronchitis, purulent mumps?". The neck CT showed retropharyngeal abscess, and the children improve after timely incision and drainage of pus, as well as anti-infection treatment. Conclusions: Retropharyngeal abscess is common in children, infection is the most common cause. The clinical symptoms are often severe, which include fever, sore throat, dysphagia, unclear speech, neck backward, hoarseness, dyspnea, etc. The imaging examination that has important value for diagnosis should be improved timely on the basis of mastering the medical history information of children. The children should be treated with surgical drainage and anti-infection after diagnosis timely.