Introduction: Croup is a common childhood disease and is a frequent diagnosis in pediatric emergency room (PER).The aim of this study was to identify the clinical factors and care-related factors associated to hospital length of stay (HLOS) in a fourth level pediatric hospital in Bogota, Colombia.Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients in ages 0-36 months (n=120), consulting in PER throughout January to December, 2018.Patients were excluded for presenting upper respiratory tract abnormalities, other etiologies for croup rather than viral infection, and compromised lower respiratory tract.Included variables were related to individual, clinical, treatment-related aspects of the patients, and educational level of the first attending health care team.Association with HLOS was determined through multivariable analysis and, finally, a logistic regression model for HLOS≥ 6 hours ─ defined here as prolonged HLOS (pHLOS).Results: Cohort showed a median age of 15 months and a male/female ratio: 1,4:1.The general median for HLOS was 3,4 hours.Hemoglobin saturation values (SatHb%) was significantly lower in patients in the pHLOS group (p=0,033).Patients with inadequate weight-for-age (W/A) and requested chest X-ray, viral panel or requested hospitalization had a greater HLOS.Patients with low severity presentations of croup and those that didn´t require supplementary oxygen displayed a lower HLOS (p<0,05).Presence of intercostal retractions was the only variable that acted as an independent risk factor for pHLOS (OR: 16; CI95% 2,186-117,09)Conclusions: Presence of intercostal retractions acts as an independent risk factor to pHLOS.Lower SatHb%, inadequate W/A, requested hospitalization and requested diagnostic aids, were related to longer HLOS.Low severity presentations of viral croup and not-requiring supplementary oxygen were associated with shorter HLOS.
