Risk factors of severe hand, foot and mouth disease in Shantou, China: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION

In clinical perspectives, how to distinguish a small proportion of children at risk of developing neurological complications from a large number of children with mild symptoms still remains a challenge for primary care doctors.

METHODOLOGY: From January 2012 to December 2015, 225 cases with severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) matched with 492 controls were enrolled in the age-matched, case-control study. Continuous variables were examined by univariate analysis using a chi-squared or Fisher's exact test, and categorical variables were reported by relative risks (odd's ratio). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for severe HFMD.

RESULTS

Peak body temperature over 37.5℃，total duration of fever over 3 days, lethargy, enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection were independent risk factors for severe HFMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Peak body temperature over 37.5℃，total duration of fever over 3 days, lethargy, EV71 infection were independent risk factors for severe HFMD.