Risk factors associated with length of hospital stay in children and adolescents with coronavirus disease 2019 in Egypt

Background With the growing incidence of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the hospitalization rate in this age category has been increasing. This study aimed to assess the length of hospital stay (LOS) among children with COVID-19 and examine potential risk factors. Patients and methods We retrospectively collected data on 50 consecutive children and adolescents with mild to moderate COVID-19 who were discharged after treatment from one hospital in Egypt during July 2020. Betas (Bs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with their LOS were computed using unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. Results The average LOS was 8.3 days (median 9 days). Presenting with fever, cough, and ground-glass opacity in radiograph was associated with longer LOS in the unadjusted model with Bs (95% CIs): 4.30 (1.07, 7.52), 3.50 (0.34, 6.66), and 5.55 (2.72, 8.37), respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, only ground-glass opacity in radiograph remained statistically associated with longer LOS (B = 4.75, 95% CI: 0.31, 9.20). Conclusion Children and adolescents with COVID-19 stayed in the hospital for a relatively short period. Selected clinical and radiological findings may be associated with longer LOS.