Multivariate analysis controlling for several potential confounders showed that enterovirus 71 infection [odds ratio (OR) 19.944, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 6.492–61.271], peripheral WBC count (OR 3.428, 95 % CI 1.186–9.914), fasting glucose (OR 19.428, 95 % CI 2.236–168.784), procalcitonin (OR 9.084, 95 % CI 3.462–23.837, and NT-proBNP (>125 pg/mL) (OR 16.649, 95 % CI 4.731–58.585) were each associated with the severity of HFMD. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is hand, foot and mouth disease.