Subjective and objective parameters in paediatric respiratory conditions: cultural adaptation to Portuguese population

Abstract Introduction: Young children are at high risk of respiratory infections. The severity of the disease is based on the assessment of signs and symptoms, although there is a lack of validated scales to the Portuguese population. Objective: The aim of this study was to accomplish the cultural adaptation and validation of the subjective and objective parameters in paediatric respiratory conditions, according to Postiaux. Methods: We ensured the cultural adaptation of the “Paramètres anamnestiques et cliniques utiles au suivi et à l’achèvement de la toilette bronchopulmonaire du nourrisson et de l’enfant”, created by Guy Postiaux. Then we analysed content, conceptual and construct validity, as well as test-retest reliability. The Portuguese version was applied in a sample of 59 children, with a mean age of 23.05 ± 8.34 months, 55.9% male. Results: We stablished semantics and construct validity and adopted the title “Paediatric Respiratory Severity Score” (PRSS). PRSS obtained a good internal consistency (α de Cronbach = 0.80) and an excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.91). Subjective parameters revealed a Cronbach’ α = 0.80 and an ICC = 0.90. Objective parameters obtained a Cronbach’ α = 0.73 and an ICC = 0.85. The application of PRSS to the sample showed that 37.3% of the children had a normal health condition (PRSS = 8) and 62.7% of the children had a moderate impairment of their health condition (9 ≤ PRSS ≤ 16). Conclusion: Paediatric Respiratory Severity Score is a valid and reliable measure to assess the severity of acute respiratory infections in children under 36 months of age.