Preliminary psychometric performance of the Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale

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Authors

Viviers, Mari
Kritzinger, Alta M. (Aletta Margaretha)
Vinck, Bart M.
Graham, Marien Alet

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AOSIS OpenJournals

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.

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Keywords

Clinical feeding scale, Neonates, Modified barium swallow studies (MBSS), Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD), Neonatal feeding assessment scale (NFAS)

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Citation

Viviers, M., Kritzinger, A., Vinck, B., & Graham, M. (2017). Preliminary psychometric performance of the Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale. South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 64(1), a163. https://DOI. org/ 10.4102/sajcd.v64i1.163.