Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Author Spotlight: An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System
05:10

Author Spotlight: An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System

Published on: March 17, 2023

3.7K

The Brussels Infant and Toddler Stool Scale: A Study on Interobserver Reliability

Koen Huysentruyt1, Ilan Koppen2, Marc Benninga2

  • 1KidZ Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|January 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The Brussels Infant and Toddler Stool Scale (BITSS) reliably assesses stool consistency in young children. This scale offers good agreement with the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) for infants and toddlers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Assessment

Background:

  • The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) is not suitable for assessing stool consistency in non-toilet trained children.
  • The Brussels Infant and Toddler Stool Scale (BITSS) was developed using photographs of infant and toddler stools in diapers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the interobserver reliability of stool consistency assessment using the BITSS among parents, nurses, and medical doctors (MDs).

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter cross-sectional study involving 2462 observers (parents, nurses, MDs) from 2016-2017.
  • Observers rated BITSS photographs based on the BSFS criteria.
  • Reliability was assessed using the proportion of perfect agreement and linearly weighted kappa (κ) statistic.

Main Results:

  • The BITSS photographs corresponding to BSFS types 7 and 4 showed the highest agreement (87.5% and 87.6%).
  • Overall weighted kappa (κ) was 0.72, indicating good agreement.
  • A new categorization system (hard, formed, loose, watery stools) demonstrated correct allocation ranging from 83% to 96%.

Conclusions:

  • The BITSS demonstrates good agreement with the BSFS.
  • The BITSS, with its newly categorized photographs, is a reliable tool for assessing stool consistency in non-toilet trained children in clinical practice and research.
  • A multilanguage version of the BITSS is available for download.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A View of Their Own: Capturing the Egocentric View of Infants and Toddlers with Head-Mounted Cameras03:56

A View of Their Own: Capturing the Egocentric View of Infants and Toddlers with Head-Mounted Cameras

Published on: October 5, 2018

8.0K
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

88.0K

Related Concept Videos

Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test01:30

Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test

Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
859
Reliability and Validity01:29

Reliability and Validity

Reliability and validity are two important considerations that must be made with any type of data collection. Reliability refers to the ability to consistently produce a given result. In the context of psychological research, this would mean that any instruments or tools used to collect data do so in consistent, reproducible ways.
13.9K
pH Scale02:41

pH Scale

Hydronium and hydroxide ions are present both in pure water and in all aqueous solutions, and their concentrations are inversely proportional as determined by the ion product of water (Kw). The concentrations of these ions in a solution are often critical determinants of the solution’s properties and the chemical behaviors of its other solutes. Two different solutions can differ in their hydronium or hydroxide ion concentrations by a million, billion, or even trillion times. A common means of...
79.7K
Distribution Reliability and Automation01:25

Distribution Reliability and Automation

Distribution reliability in electrical power systems is critical for ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to consumers at minimal cost. According to IEEE Standard Terms, reliability is the probability that a device will function without failure over a specified time period or amount of usage. For electric power distribution, this translates to maintaining continuous power supply and addressing customer concerns over power outages. Several indices, as defined by IEEE Standard 1366-2012, are...
512
Scaling01:26

Scaling

In designing and analyzing filters, resonant circuits, or circuit analysis at large, working with standard element values like 1 ohm, 1 henry, or 1 farad can be convenient before scaling these values to more realistic figures. This approach is widely utilized by not employing realistic element values in numerous examples and problems; it simplifies mastering circuit analysis through convenient component values. The complexity of calculations is thereby reduced, with the understanding that...
593
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
293