Changes of the serum levels of COR, ACTH, FT3, FT4 and TSH in children with severe HFMD and their evaluation value

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of serum levels of cortisol(COR), adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), free triiodothyronine(FT3), free thyroxine(FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) in children with severe hand, foot and mouth disease(HFMD), and their evaluation value.

MethodsNinety-three childrens with severe HFMD were divided into group A (31 cases with stage 2), group B (31 cases with stage 3) and group C (31 cases with 4 stage) according to the disease condition and clinical stage.The fasting venous blood in the early morning in three groups after two days of admission were extracted, and the serum levels of COR, ACTH, FT3, FT4 and TSH in three groups were measured using chemoluminescence detection.

ResultsThe serum levels of TSH, FT3 and FT4 in group B and group C were significantly lower than those in group A, and the levels of TSH, FT3 and FT4 in group C were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.01).The differences of the number of leukocytes, C-reactive protein, time of blood pressure returning to normal, duration of fever, time of mechanical ventilation, days of hospitalization and cure rate among three groups were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).Among three groups, the clinical stage was positively correlated with the levels of ACTH and COR (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with levels of TSH, FT4 and FT3(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsWith the exacerbation of HFMD, the serum levels of COR and ACTH increase, but the serum levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH decrease.