Fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario observacional de las conductas de alimentación en neonatos prematuros (COCANP)

Objective: There is a known concern about feeding difficulties in preterm infants. In order to have an instrument that collects the characteristics and severity of these difficulties, an observational questionnaire on feeding behaviors has been designed and its reliability and validity have been examined. Material and methods: The main updated references were consulted for the design of the protocol. A questionnaire has been defined consisting of 8 sections: medical history, orofacial features, intraoral features, sensitivity, oral reflexes, breathing, feeding and feeding features. The feeding behavior of a sample of 100 neonates was observed in the Hospital Clínic-Maternitat de Barcelona. Results: The results showed a good reliability of the questionnaire presenting a score of Cronbach's Alpha of.891 and a correlation with the Apgar test of.63, as well as the set of sections, in which we find positive correlations that range between.38 and.54. In order to assess sensitivity, the ANOVA statistic for each of the sections and the total for each level of prematurity has been calculated. Significant differences have been found in all the sections of the questionnaire. Finally, to assess the discriminative capacity of the COCANP questionnaire in connection with premature or full-term babies, the area under the curve was calculated with a result of.979, which we consider very high. Conclusion: The COCANP questionnaire has proven to be a reliable and valid tool for the features of the premature baby's feeding patterns.