摘要Objective To investigate the clinical features of the enterovirus 71 ( EV71 ) infection complicated with pulmonary edema or pulmonary hemorrhage as a fulminant and often fatal illness.Methods The medical records of three cases with EV71 infection were retrospectively reviewed for clinical manifestations, laboratory data, medications, and outcome.Results All the cases were infants and died of the infection. These infants had no skin or mucosal lesions, however, they had sudden onset of cyanosis and tachypnea 1 to 2 days after the onset of the febrile disease with vomiting. All these 3 cases were misdiagnosed and were treated for shock on admission. Pulmonary hemorrhage was not considered in any of the cases on admission. All the cases received tracheal intubation when foamy secretions were discharged from the mouth and nose of the patients and notable cyanosis occurred. After intubation, pink foamy fluid flew out from the endotracheal tube in all the 3 cases. The patients had hyperglycemia and limb weakness, two had tachycardia, and hypertension was found in one case. Chest X-ray showed bilateral or unilateral widespread air space opacity, but the cardiac size and shape were normal. All the patients had leukocytosis. Enterovirus 71 infection was confirmed by detection of specific nucleic acid sequences of the virus from throat swab and tracheal secretions samples and in one case in cerebrospinal fluid.Conclusions Pulmonary edema or pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in the 3 cases with EV71 infection. The initial presentation was nonspecific with fever and vomiting, and sudden appearance of cyanosis, tachypnea, tachycardia, hypertension or hypotension, limb weakness, which may suggest pulmonary edema or hemorrhage. Excessive fluid resuscitation may deteriorate the illness, on the contrary, fluid restriction and inotropic agents, and early intubation with positive pressure mechanical ventilation may be the proper treatment.