ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of procalcitonin (PCT)in the early diagnosis for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) with bacterial infection.MethodsClinical data of 234 HFMD children who were hospitalized  between January and July 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, according to discharge diagnosis, data  were divided into simple viral infection group (n=178）and viral associated with bacterial infection group (n=56）,and data of 20 healthy children were selected as the control group. Serum PCT, Creactive protein (CRP) and peripheral white blood cell  (WBC) count were compared. ResultsThere was significant difference in the level of PCT, CRP and WBC among three groups (F=381.94,24.18,and 26.46，respectively,all P＜0.05）.The positive rate of PCT,CRP and WBC among three groups was significantly different（χ2=178.25,38.98, and 71.21，all P＜0.05）， PCT,CRP and WBC in bacterial infection group(92.86%［52/56］,85.71%［48/56］, and 87.50%［49/56］respectively) were significantly higher than those of simple viral infection group (3.93%［7/178］,62.36%［111/178］,and 30.90%［55/178］respectively) and healthy control group (5.00%［1/20］,10.00%［2/20］, and 5.00%［1/20］respectively). The sensitivity rate of PCT,CRP and WBC was 92.86%,85.71%, and 87.50% respectively，specificity rate was 95.00%,90.00%,and 95.00% respectively.ConclusionThe level of PCT has important value for the early diagnosis of HFMD with bacterial infection, and its accuracy rate and sensitivity are better than CRP and WBC levels.