Clinical validation of the Neonatal Skin Condition Score with Portuguese newborns.

Objective: Clinically validate the Neonatal Skin Condition Score - Portuguese version with Portuguese newborns, verifying if the risk of skin injury in this population is influenced by their condition.

Method: Observational, cross-sectional and methodological study, conducted from 2018 to 2021. The Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment Scale - Portuguese version and Neonatal Skin Condition Score were used in data collection. Of the latter, content validation and sensitivity of the items were improved. MANOVA was used to evaluate whether the effect of independent variables (intrinsic and extrinsic factors) on dependent variables (score of both scales) was statistically significant. Non-random sampling (n=167).

Results: The items showed good sensitivity. MANOVA revealed that the factors had a significant effect on the scores of the two scales.

Conclusion: The comparison of the scales shows clinical validity, revealing that better skin condition corresponds to a lower risk of injury, and the two scales can be applied concomitantly.