Abstract: Objective: To explore the experience of the mothers of EV71 type of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) children complicated with encephalitis. Methods: Eighteen mothers of EV71 type of HFMD children complicated with encephalitis participated in half-structured interviews regarding their experience of care-giving. The data were collected by method of phenomenological analysis. Results: Three themes, named heavy psychological burden, heavy economic burden and lack of related knowledge of disease, were extracted by using Co1aizzi research method. Conclusion: Understanding the caring feelings of mothers of children with EV71 HFMD complicated with encephalitis could help nurses provide professional care education and psychological counseling, and promote mothers' physical and mental health and children's recovery.