Identifying Risk Factors for Neurological Issues in Children with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Ooi Mong How, Wong See Chang, Mohan Anand, Podin Yuwana, Perera David, Clear Daniella, del Sel Sylvia, Chieng Chae Hee, Tio Phaik Hooi, Cardosa Mary Jane, Solomon Tom
Primary Institution: Department of Paediatrics, Sibu Hospital, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
Hypothesis
Can specific clinical predictors help identify children at risk of neurological involvement in hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Conclusion
Three clinical risk factors can help detect children at risk of neurological involvement in hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Total duration of fever ≥ 3 days was found to be a significant risk factor.
- Peak temperature ≥ 38.5°C was identified as an independent risk factor.
- History of lethargy was also a significant predictor of neurological involvement.
Takeaway
Doctors can look for three signs in kids with hand, foot, and mouth disease to see if they might get really sick: a fever that lasts more than three days, a high temperature, and if the child seems very tired.
Methodology
Data was collected from a prospective clinical study of HFMD conducted between 2000 and 2006, analyzing risk factors associated with neurological involvement.
Limitations
The clinical predictors were identified from hospitalized children, which may not represent those treated in primary care settings.
Participant Demographics
63% male, primarily children with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 2.79–6.56
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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