A number of factors related to the severity and results of treatment of hand, foot, and mouth disease at Hai Phong Children’s Hospital in 2021 – 2022

Abstract

Objectives: Commenting on results and some factors related to the severity of hand, foot mouth disease (HFMD) treatment at Hai Phong Children's Hospital in 2021-2022. Study subjects: 174 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with HFMD based on clinical and/or subclinical criteria according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health 2012. The study was conducted from January 2021 to May 2022. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Results: The disease tended to increase at two times from March to May and from August to October. The ratio of male/female was 1.52, age from 12 months to 36 months accounted for 61.5%. The reason for admission was because of fever, mouth ulcers or both accounted for 82.8%. The PCR test for the virus that causes the disease resulted in 4/7 (57.1%) cases being positive for EV71 and 3/7 (42.9%) of cases being negative. Patients without oral ulcers had a higher risk of developing TCM with neurological complications than children with oral ulcers. Children with high fever above 39  had a higher risk of TCM with neurological complications than children without fever or fever below 39 . The patient stayed in hospital less than 7 days. Conclusion: Symptoms without mouth ulcers and fever above 39  are factors that aggravate the disease. The average hospital stay was 4-7 days. Most of the children recovered well 95.4% (166/174) and were discharged.