Abstract

Objective: To describe the characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) at the infectious disease department of Can Tho Children's Hospital from 2020 October to 2021 Apvril and comment on the results of caring and treatment for pediatric patients.

Method: A prospective descriptive study was conducted from October 2020 to April 2021 on 409 HFMDs and Inpatient treatment at Can Tho Children's Hospital.

Results: The most common age is under 5 years old (97,6%), of which the age group from 12-<36 months accounts for 70.4%; average age is 24.5 ± 14.0 months; boy/girl ratio = 3/2. On admission: 100% of children have fever; 82.6% had mouth ulcers; 79.0% of pediatric patients have loss of appetite and 65.8% had skin rash/blisters. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological manifestations were found at a low rate. Most children have grade 1 and 2a (90.3%). When entering the hospital, pediatric patients are cared for according to the procedure, treated according to the protocol, so their symptoms gradually decrease and almost disappear before being discharged from the hospital. The mean time to symptom relief: Vomiting (1.39±0.91 days); Diarrhea (1.84±0.15 days); Fever (4.04±1.39 days); Erythema (4.74±1.13 days); Anorexia is the slowest symptom, 47.9% of patients are still anorexic when discharged from hospital. The hospital infection is 13.4%; in which, mainly pneumonia (7.1%). 69.9% of patients recovered; 25.9% disease reduction and no deaths. Mean hospital stay mainly ≤ 7 days (84.6%).

Conclusion: Patient under 5 years old is 97.6%; The main symtoms are: fever, mouth ulcers, gastrointestinal disturbances and skin rash/blisters; most of them are at level 1 and 2a (90.3%). Symptoms gradually subsided during safe care and discharge, no referral or death; average hospital stay 6.32 ± 1.81 days.