Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of Blood Test Parameters in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Meta-analysis

Objective The present meta-analysis was conducted to identify the diagnostic and prognostic significance of routine blood test parameters in patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), in particular for white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet level, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-8 (IL-8) level, fasting blood glucose level, plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, etc. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant articles. The potential risk factors were analyzed when patients were divided into groups using different standards. The meta-analyses were performed using the RevMan software. After screening, data from the 26 papers were used for meta-analysis. Results Some factors with potential diagnostic and prognostic value, and others with no value, were identified. Specifically, WBC counts had an association with later survival; CRP and platelet levels had limited indicative roles; higher plasma glucose levels were associated with more serious complications and poorer survival; fatal progression was correlated with increased IL-8 and NT-proBNP levels. There was great heterogenicity between studies. Conclusion Blood factors, especially WBC counts, plasma glucose level, IL-8, and NTproBNP levels are associated with the severity and outcome of HFMD.