Validation of a Parent Report Questionnaire

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ), a tool to assess feeding tolerance in infants. Methods. Qualitative methods were used to develop IGSQ content across 5 symptom clusters, yielding a 13-item index of parent-reported infant digestion and elimination behaviors over the prior 7 days. Classical psychometric methods evaluated factor structure, interrater and retest reliability, and validity in 4 prospective studies of 836 infants. Results. Interrater and retest reliability were acceptable to good. IGSQ Index score was highly correlated (r = 0.89) with daily parent reports. IGSQ scores were significantly different between infants whose parents planned to switch formulas because of perceived feeding problems and those without parental concerns. Conclusions. The IGSQ is a practical, reliable, and valid method for assessment of infant gastrointestinal-related behaviors. Its use in clinical studies can provide empirical evidence to advance parent education regarding both normal and clinically meaningful feeding-related behaviors.

Bottle-Feeding Challenges in Preterm-Born Infants in the First 7 Months of Life

“…The NeoEAT-Bottle-feeding was content validated with both parents and healthcare providers 14 and has evidence of strong psychometric properties, including acceptable internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.92) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.90, P < .001). 27 The NeoEAT-Bottle-feeding also has construct validity with the Infant-Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire-Revised 28 and the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaire 29 (r = 0.74 and 0.64, respectively). 16 The NeoEAT-Bottle-feeding has 5 subscales that provide information about various aspects of infant feeding including: Infant Regulation, Energy & Physiologic Stability, Gastrointestinal Tract Function, Sensory Responsiveness, and Compelling Symptoms of Problematic Feeding.…”

Clinical Response to Two Formulas in Infants with Parent-Reported Signs of Formula Intolerance: A Multi-Country, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial

“…The IGSQ is a 13-item, validated, questionnaire administered to parents by a trained study staff that allows parents to describe the frequency and intensity of their signs and symptoms of GI distress during the previous 7 days. 25 The questionnaire includes 5 domains: stooling, spitting up/vomiting, crying, fussiness and gassiness. An overall index score was calculated based on the individual scores for each question.…”

“…The IGSQ index score is a measure of overall GI symptom burden, and it ranges from 13 to 65, wherein 13 indicates low and 65 indicates high GI burden. 25 The IGSQ was linguistically translated from English into the relevant study languages according to ISPOR guidelines. 23 …”

Feasibility and Psychometric Properties of the Infant Toddler Quality of Life (ITQOL) Questionnaire in a Community-Based Sample of Healthy Infants in China

“…Data from Simplified Chinese versions of three questionnaires were used in this analysis: the ITQOL, which assessed infant HRQOL, the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12v2) (Ware et al 1996 ) which assessed parent HRQOL, and the Infant GI Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ) (Riley et al 2015 ) which assessed infant’s feeding tolerance and GI symptom burden.…”

“…The IGSQ is a 13-item validated interviewer-administered parent questionnaire which assesses from the parent’s perspective how well an infant tolerates his or her feeding regimen and the infant’s overall GI symptom burden (Riley et al 2015 ). A summary GI burden index score is calculated.…”