Italian cross-cultural validation of the STRONGkids tool for pediatric nutritional evaluation

Nutritional assessment plays a pivotal role in individual development and represents a fundamental component in the early identification of nutritional challenges and imbalances in pediatric patients. Among the validated instruments in the literature, the STRONGkids tool is the most utilized. This study aimed to undertake the translation and transcultural validation of the STRONGkids tool. The STRONGkids tool underwent initial validation following the six-phase protocol outlined by Sousa and Rojjanasrirat, after which it was translated into Italian. The final Italian version of STRONGkids was then administered to a cohort of hospitalized children. Collected data underwent analysis to assess its psychometric properties. Through the initial five phases, an Italian version of the STRONGkids tool was developed, which is congruent with the original and widely utilized version. The sixth phase exhibited favorable intra-rater reliability (k = 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.97) and inter-rater reliability (k = 0.77; 95% CI 0.68-0.86). Conclusion: The validated Italian version of STRONGkids emerges as a crucial instrument for precise nutritional assessment during hospitalization, ensuring convenience and effectiveness for professionals. Our findings advocate for the adoption of STRONGkids as a tool for screening pediatric nutritional risk in Italy. STRONGkids represents a complementary tool alongside anthropometric evaluations for nurses. Recognizing its importance, nurses can enhance early identification and intervention in pediatric patients' nutritional risk as part of routine care, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal patient outcomes.