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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the neonatal/infant Braden Q risk assessment scale
Edson Luiz de Lima1, Maria José Azevedo de Brito2, Diba Maria Sebba Tosta de Souza1
1Professional Master's Degree Program in Sciences Applied to Health, Sapucaí Valley University (UNIVÁS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil.
Insights
The Brazilian Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale was adapted and validated for assessing pressure ulcer risk in neonates. This reliable tool demonstrates strong validity, improving risk assessment for vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Nursing research
- Patient safety
Background:
- Pressure ulcer development is a significant concern in neonates, with limited research available.
- The Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Risk Assessment Scale is a crucial tool for identifying neonates at risk.
- A validated Brazilian-Portuguese version is needed to improve clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale into Brazilian Portuguese.
- To evaluate the psychometric properties, including reliability and validity, of the adapted scale.
- To provide a reliable instrument for pressure ulcer risk assessment in Brazilian neonatal populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-cultural adaptation involving 30 healthcare professionals.
- Assessment of 50 neonates for scale validation.
- Testing reliability (inter- and intra-rater) and validity (construct and discriminant) using established statistical measures.
Main Results:
- Excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.98) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.79).
- Strong correlation between the adapted Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale and the original Braden Q Scale (r = 0.96).
- Demonstrated discriminant validity by comparing scores of neonates with and without ulcers.
Conclusions:
- The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale is a reliable and valid instrument.
- The adapted scale exhibits strong face, content, and construct validity.
- This validated tool can enhance pressure ulcer prevention strategies in neonatal care in Brazil.
Aim:
To translate into Brazilian Portuguese and cross-culturally adapt the Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Risk Assessment Scale (Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale), and test the psychometric properties, reproducibility and validity of the instrument. There is a lack of studies on the development of pressure ulcers in children, especially in neonates.
Methods:
Thirty professionals participated in the cross-cultural adaptation of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the scale. Fifty neonates of both sexes were assessed between July 2013 and June 2014. Reliability and reproducibility were tested in 20 neonates and construct validity was measured by correlating the Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale with the Braden Q Risk Assessment Scale (Braden Q Scale). Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the scores of neonates with and without ulcers.
Results:
The scale showed inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.98; P < 0.001) and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.79; P < 0.001). A strong correlation was found between the Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale and Braden Q Scale (r = 0.96; P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The cross-culturally adapted Brazilian version of the Neonatal/Infant Braden Q Scale is a reliable instrument, showing face, content and construct validity.
