In this study, we examined the relationship of plasma cytokine (IL-4, IL-12, IL-18, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and chemokine (IL-8, RANTES, MCP-1, IP-10) levels with disease severity (mild vs. severe groups), complications (E vs. E+P groups) and fecal EV71 status (EV71-positive vs. EV71-negative groups) in children with HFMD. This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and hand, foot and mouth disease.