ABSTRACT
objective To explore the indication of mechanical ventilation and evaluate the effects of mechanical ventilation with the least delay on the Severe cases of hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD).Methods Retrospective cohort study was conducted among the severe HFMD cases(n=66)admitted to pediatric intensive care unit(PICU)between July 2008 and september 2009.Sixty-six cases were divided into two groups:42 cases(group A,July 5 to October 31,2008)were ventilated with the common mechanical ventilation,24 cases(group B,April 21 to september 30,2009)were ventilated at least delay when the symptoms of neurogenic pulmonary edema appeared.Then the diffcrences on the survival rate and the mortality in the group A and group B were investigated.Results Twenty out of 42 patients died(47.6%),eighteen were cured(42.6%) and four showed improved signs(9.5%)in group A.Twenty-two out of 24 patients were cured(91.7%),two showed improved signs(8.3%)and no death in group B.The clinical effect of group B was much better tllan group A(P<0.001).Conclusion Early mechanical ventilation would improve the survival rate and decrease the mortality of severe hand-foot-mouth disease.