Houston:
Former US President George H W Bush, who has been in a hospital in Houston with a lingering cough since November, may not be able to celebrate Christmas with his family on Monday.
Bush, 88, needs to "build up his energy" before he can be released, doctors said on Sunday.
Doctors are still optimistic that Bush will make a full recovery, but are being "extra cautious" with his care, Methodist Hospital spokesman George Kovacik said in an emailed statement.
Bush is in a stable condition, he said.
It is, however, not clear if Bush will be released from the hospital in time to celebrate the holidays at home.
The 41st president was admitted to Methodist Hospital in late November for a bronchitis-related cough and has remained there to regain strength.
Bush, was improving, but recently had "a few slow days," spokesman Jim McGrath said.
"The doctors are holding on to him out of an abundance of caution," McGrath said.
He said they still hope Bush will be home for Christmas, but his doctors will have to make that call.