The Gastrointestinal and Gastroesophageal Reflux (GIGER) Scale for Infants and Toddlers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the development of the Gastrointestinal and Gastroesophageal Reflux (GIGER) Scale for Infants and Toddlers, and determine its factor structure and psychometric properties. Items were developed to comprehensively assess gastrointestinal (GI) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms observable by a parent. Exploratory factor analysis on 391 responses from parents of children under 2 years old resulted in a 36-item scale with 3 subscales. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable (α = .78-.94). The GIGER total score and all 3 subscales were correlated with the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire-Revised (I-GERQ-R) ( P < .05) and Infant Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaire (IGSQ) ( P < .05). GIGER total score was higher in infants with a diagnosis of GER ( P < .05) or constipation ( P < .05) compared to those without. The GIGER is a parent-report measure of GI and GER symptoms in children under 2 years old with adequate psychometric properties.