Journal of

Background and Aim: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common contagious infectious disease. Because of the current limited knowledge about the etiology of this disease and its associated complications, especially nails lesions, we conducted this study to determine the prevalence of the nail disorders in children with HFMD.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 children whom were referred to Bo Ali Sina Hospital in Sari, in 2013 and 2014, and were diagnosed as HFMD, were recruited using a census sampling method. Diagnosis of HFMD was made by a dermatologist or a pediatrician based on the clinical findings. Then, the skin lesions were recorded and the nails of all HFMD patients were examined to detect any nail disorder (onychomadesis, transverse ridging, etc.). Nail examinations were repeated fortnightly up to 8 weeks after the first visit. During this follow-up period, through using a questionnaire, the type of the nail lesions and their relationship with HFMD were recorded.

Results: The mean±standard deviation (SD) age of the patients was 38.2±19.5 months, and 58.3% of the patients were male. At the time of HFMD diagnosis, 30 (35.7%) patients had hand and nail involvement. Thirty-one cases (36.9%) had toenails involvement. Onychomadesis frequency was higher 4 weeks after initiation of the disease in comparison with 2 weeks after the onset of illness (15.5% vs. 1.2%, P<0.001) and 6 weeks after the beginning of the disease compared to 4 weeks after the disease onset (29.8% vs. 15.5%, P=0.001) the frequency of nail involvement at 8 weeks after the disease onset compared to 6 weeks after the beginning of HFMD was decreased (17.9% vs. 29.8%, P=0.007).

Conclusion: It is necessary to take measures for early detection and treatment of involved nails in HFMD. Periodic follow-up visits is recommended too.