Introduction: Feeding and swallowing disorders in children result in inadequate nutrient intake and an increased risk of malnutrition, aspiration, and growth retardation, often due to developmental, neurological, or anatomical-behavioral causes. Early identification and reliable assessment of these disorders are essential for appropriate management and require a multidisciplinary approach and the use of standardized assessment tools. This thesis focused on the translation, adaptation, and validation of the Slovenian version of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale, which contributes to the early identification of feeding disorders and provides support to families. Purpose: The aim of this diploma thesis was to conduct a content validation of the Slovenian version of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH-FS) and to develop a freely accessible questionnaire for the early detection of feeding disorders. Methods: A combination of a literature review and a quantitative research approach was used for the validation of the MCH-FS. Literature was searched in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and COBISS databases, while the empirical part included translation, cultural adaptation, and evaluation of the content relevance of the questionnaire items by seven experts. The questionnaire content was analyzed, and the Content Validity Index (CVI) was quantitatively assessed and statistically analyzed. Results: The validation of the scale demonstrated high content validity for most items (S-CVI/Ave = 0.93), with several items requiring additional consideration, confirming the appropriateness of the scale and a high level of agreement among experts. Discussion and Conclusion: The validation of the Slovenian version of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH-FS) for children aged 6 months to 6 years demonstrated high content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.93). The MCH-FS represents a reliable screening tool for the early identification of feeding difficulties and enables timely multidisciplinary management of children. The results confirm the usefulness of the scale in supporting parents and professionals in the assessment of children’s nutritional and psychosocial development.
|