ABSTRACT
Purpose:
to verify the psychometric properties - validity and reliability - and the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the "Neonatal Tongue Screening Test" from the Lingual Frenulum Protocol for Infants.
Methods:
this is an experimental retrospective study using data from 100 newborns. The infants were assessed within the first 48 hours after birth using the Neonatal Tongue Screening Test, and subsequently assessed at 30 days of life using the Lingual Frenulum Protocol for Infants. The assessments were performed by examiner 1, who collected images and data to be analyzed by examiner 2. Newborns with lingual frenulum alterations were referred to frenotomy, reassessed 30 days after surgery and followed until six months of life. Data were used for the validation process, which included the analyses of inter-intra rater agreement, criterion validity, construct validity, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Data were statistically treated. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee under the number CAAE 40784315.9.0000.5538.
Results:
the "Neonatal Screening Test" was able to identify newborns with lingual frenulum alteration and the changes after frenotomy; furthermore, the results demonstrated adequate values of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Concerning inter-intra rater agreement, the consistency of results demonstrated reliability and excellent repeatability.
Conclusion:
the "Neonatal Tongue Screening Test" has demonstrated to be a valid and reliable assessment tool ensuring accuracy to diagnose lingual frenulum alterations in newborns.
Keywords:
Lingual frenum; Breastfeeding; Clinical Protocols; Validation Studies, Surgical Procedures
