Answer:
Children infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by the EV71 virus can experience neurological complications, including: meningitis, brainstem encephalitis, and cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. After the illness, some children may suffer long-term sequelae such as muscle atrophy, limb weakness, and require prolonged mechanical ventilation.
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine, based on data from 142 children infected with Enterovirus 71 (EV71) who also had central nervous system damage, revealed that 5% of children with severe central nervous system damage showed signs of delayed neurological development. Children with cardiopulmonary failure had a higher incidence of these sequelae, reaching 75%. Additionally, 64% of patients experienced limb weakness and atrophy, 61% required tube feeding, and 57% needed mechanical ventilation support. However, not all severe HFMD cases result in neurological sequelae.
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Children with complicated hand, foot, and mouth disease receiving treatment at Children's Hospital 1. Photo: Children's Hospital 1 |
Since your child has HFMD, observe them regularly to promptly detect warning signs of neurological complications, such as: high fever that is difficult to reduce, startled movements, trembling limbs, unsteady gait, drowsiness, or irritability.
The HFMD virus spreads through the digestive tract by inhaling saliva, touching fluid from ruptured rashes, or indirect contact via floors, toys, and thumb-sucking habits. There is currently no specific treatment for the disease, and children can be reinfected multiple times by different virus strains, so prevention is crucial even after initial infection.
Parents should wash their hands frequently with soap and teach older children to do the same to prevent spreading the disease to younger children. It is also important to sanitize toys, homes, and contact surfaces, ensure proper nutrition, and expose children to early morning sunlight. Vietnam has approved a vaccine for the EV71 strain, and VNVC Vaccination System is actively working to implement it soon in Vietnam. In addition to HFMD, parents should also prevent other vaccine-preventable diseases like influenza, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, chickenpox, mumps, measles, hepatitis B, and HPV.
Dr. Nguyen Tien Dao
Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System
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