Abstract:
OBJECTIVE : The objective was to determine the preliminary psychometric performance of a
new clinical feeding scale to diagnose oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in neonates.
METHODS : Twenty neonates with a median gestational age of 35 weeks were evaluated using
the Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale (NFAS) and modified barium swallow studies (MBSS).
The results were compared.
RESULTS : Nine of the 20 participants presented with OPD on the NFAS. Comparison of
the scale’s results with instrumental MBSS indicated that all participants without
OPD were correctly excluded (100% sensitivity). The specificity was 78.6%,
indicating that three participants were falsely identified with OPD on the scale. Interrater
reliability was determined on 50% (n = 10) of the sample. Substantial agreement
(80%) was obtained between two raters in five of the six sections of the scale and on the
diagnostic outcome.
CONCLUTION : The preliminary performance of the scale appears to be promising. A further
validation study will take place.
