Objective To explore pathogenic distribution and epidemic characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shenyang area, and provide reference for prevention and control as well as clinical diagnosis and treatment for HFMD. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze information and pathogenic monitoring data of HFMD children in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from 2014 to 2018. Results There were 25 571 cases of HFMD, 17 263 (67.51%) were positive for enterovirus, positive rates in boys and girls were 69.72% (10 305/14 780) and 64.48% (6 958/10 791) respectively, positive rate between boys and girls was statistically significant (χ²=78.167,P<0.001). Among children with positive detection result of HFMD enterovirus, 92.59% were<6 years old, the highest proportion was in the 3- year old group (24.53%). HFMD occurred all year round, but seasonal distribution was obvious, showing a single peak distribution, the highest was in July and August every year, accounting for 29.94%-52.30%. Among pathogens isolated from children with HFMD, EV-71 and CV-A16 accounted for 12.71% and 24.38% respectively, other enterovirus was 62.91%. Conclusion Except EV-71 and CV-A16, other enterovirus causing HFMD in children in Shenyang area are high, July and August every year are peak season, HFMD mainly occurs in children<6 years old, especially boys.