Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Denver II: developmental screening test

Abstract

The scope of the Denver II Developmental Screening Test is to assess the development of children between 0 and 6 years of age. The aim of this study was to verify evidence of intra-and inter-examiner reliability, concurrent validity, sensitivity and specificity of the Brazilian version of Denver II. It involved a cross-sectional methodological study. A total of 254 children, between 0 and 72 months with risk of developmental delay, participated in the study. Two examiners verified the Denver II intra-and inter-examiner reliabil-ity. Concurrent validity, sensitivity and specificity were checked against the Brazilian version of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires as a criterion-refer-enced test. Statistical analysis used the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Spearman’s Correlation Test and Contingency Table, the level of signifi-cance being α=0.05. The results identified that intra and inter examiner reliability was excellent in all age groups. Concurrent validity showed mod-erate to very strong rates in the 13-to-60-month age group. The sensitivity and specificity indices ranged from 73-99% and 58-92%, respectively. The Brazilian version of Denver II has good rates of psychometric properties and is a reliable and valid instrument to be applied to Brazilian children at risk of developmental delay.