Spanish Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Intensive Care Unit Delirium Playbook.

Background: A lack of high-quality provider education hinders the delivery of standard-of-care delirium detection and prevention practices in the intensive care unit (ICU). To fill this gap, we developed and validated an e-learning ICU Delirium Playbook consisting of eight videos and a 44-question knowledge assessment quiz. Given the increasing Spanish-speaking population worldwide, we translated and cross-culturally adapted the playbook from English into Spanish. Objective: To translate and culturally adapt the ICU Delirium Playbook into Spanish, the second most common native language worldwide. Methods: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process included double forward and back translations and harmonization by a 14-person interdisciplinary team of ICU nurses and physicians, delirium experts, methodologists, medical interpreters, and bilingual professionals representing many Spanish-speaking global regions. After a preeducation quiz, a nurse focus group completed the playbook videos and posteducation quiz, followed by a semistructured interview. Results: The ICU Delirium Playbook: Spanish Version maintained conceptual equivalence to the English version. Focus group participants posted mean (standard deviation) pre- and post-playbook scores of 63% (10%) and 78% (12%), with a 15% (11%) pre-post improvement (P = 0.01). Participants reported improved perceived competency in performing the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and provided positive feedback regarding the playbook. Conclusion: After translation and cultural adaptation, the ICU Delirium Playbook: Spanish Version yielded significant knowledge assessment improvements and positive feedback. The Spanish playbook is now available for public dissemination.

Development and Validation of an ICU Delirium Playbook for Provider Education.

Although delirium detection and prevention practices are recommended in critical care guidelines, there remains a persistent lack of effective delirium education for ICU providers. To address this knowledge-practice gap, we developed an "ICU Delirium Playbook" to educate providers on delirium detection (using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU) and prevention. DESIGN: Building on our previous ICU Delirium Video Series, our interdisciplinary team developed a corresponding quiz to form a digital "ICU Delirium Playbook." Playbook content validity was evaluated by delirium experts, and face validity by an ICU nurse focus group. Additionally, focus group participants completed the quiz before and after video viewing. Remaining focus group concerns were evaluated in semi-structured follow-up interviews. SETTING: Online validation survey, virtual focus group, and virtual interviews. SUBJECTS: The validation group included six delirium experts in the fields of critical care, geriatrics, nursing, and ICU education. The face validation group included nine ICU nurses, three of whom participated in the semi-structured feedback interviews. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 44-question quiz had excellent content validity (average scale-level content validity index [S-CVI] of individual items = 0.99, universal agreement S-CVI = 0.93, agreement κ ≥ 0.75, and clarity p ≥ 0.8). The focus group participants completed the Playbook in an average (sd) time of 53 (14) minutes, demonstrating significant improvements in pre-post quiz scores (74% vs 86%; p = 0.0009). Verbal feedback highlighted the conciseness, utility, and relevance of the Playbook, with all participants agreeing to deploy the digital education module in their ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: The ICU Delirium Playbook is a novel, first-of-its-kind asynchronous digital education tool aimed to standardize delirium detection and prevention practices. After a rigorous content and face validation process, the Playbook is now available for widespread use.

Development and Evaluation of an Intensive Care Unit Video Series to Educate Staff on Delirium Detection.

Background: Delirium affects up to 80% of patients who are mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) but often goes undetected because of incomplete and/or inaccurate clinician evaluation and documentation. A lack of effective, feasible, and sustainable educational methods represents a key barrier to efforts to optimize, scale, and sustain delirium detection competencies. Progress with such barriers may be addressed with asynchronous video-based education. Objective: To evaluate a novel ICU Delirium Video Series for bedside providers via a knowledge assessment quiz and a feedback questionnaire. Methods: An interdisciplinary team scripted and filmed an educational ICU Delirium Video Series, providing detailed instruction on delirium detection using the validated CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU). A cohort of bedside nurses subsequently viewed and evaluated the ICU Delirium Video Series using a feedback questionnaire and a previously developed knowledge assessment quiz pre- and post-video viewing. Results: Twenty nurses from four ICUs viewed the ICU Delirium Video Series and completed the pre-post quiz and questionnaire. Ten (50%) respondents had 10 or more years of ICU experience, and seven (35%) reported receiving no CAM-ICU education locally. After video viewing, overall pre-post scores improved significantly (66% vs. 79%; P < 0.0001). In addition, after video viewing, more nurses reported comfort in their ability to evaluate and manage patients with delirium. Conclusion: Viewing the ICU Delirium Video Series resulted in significant improvements in knowledge and yielded valuable feedback. Asynchronous video-based delirium education can improve knowledge surrounding a key bedside competency.

Empregabilidade de Pessoas com Deficiência: Relato de Práticas de Inclusão em um Centro de Reabilitação / Employability of People with Disabilities: Reporting Inclusion Practices in a Rehabilitation Center

O reconhecimento das deficiências é uma expressão da diversidade humana e consequência da relação da condição física, sensorial, intelectual e mental das pessoas com o ambiente, o sistema e a sociedade. Pesquisas apontam que menos de 1% das pessoas com deficiência em idade ativa possuem vínculo empregatício. Considerando este panorama populacional, social e compreendendo o desenvolvimento profissional como algo imprescindível para o amadurecimento e construção da autonomia da pessoa com deficiência, foi idealizado e executado no Centro Integrado de Inclusão e Reabilitação (CIIR), localizado em Belém do Pará, o projeto "IncluiCIIR: capacitação profissional da PcD para o mundo do trabalho". A metodologia utilizada foi a do Emprego Apoiado e se estabeleceu como possibilidade profissional à PcD. Os participantes do projeto foram envolvidos em oficinas de ações educativas em caráter pontual e efetivo, paralelo a atividades, a priori, de cunho administrativo, num processo de imersão nas atividades laborais. O CIIR é aliado na busca por uma sociedade verdadeiramente inclusiva, apontando a necessidade e importância do direito à cidadania que a PcD possui. Entendemos que a inclusão da PcD no Mundo do Trabalho, vai além do cumprimento legal, é um direito previsto na Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos. Fomentar o acesso de PcDs em espaços socialmente negados é uma ação que corrobora para melhoria da saúde, autoestima, qualidade de vida e garantia de direitos do/a cidadão/ã com deficiência, além de atender a dimensão do valor do trabalho em nossa sociedade como atividade terapêutica e social.

Effect of a natural supplement containing glucosinolates, phytosterols and citrus flavonoids on body weight and metabolic parameters in a menopausal murine model induced by bilateral ovariectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a herbal preparation containing glucosinolates, phytosterols and citrus flavonoids (supplement) on body weight and metabolic parameters usually impaired by menopause. METHODS: A pre-clinical experimental study carried out in twenty-five Swiss strain mice (Mus musculus) randomly distributed (1:1:1:1:1 ratio) to five groups to receive for ten weeks: (1) oral gelatinized maca extract 0.5625 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (Maca + OVX); (2) oral supplement 0.5625 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (S1 + OVX); (3) oral supplement 1.6875 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (S2 + OVX); (4) oral saline 100 µl/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (OVX); and (5) oral saline 100 µl/kg/day + sham surgery (sham). The primary endpoint was change in body weight gain from baseline to final. Secondary endpoints were uterine weight and cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and glucose/triglycerides index values at the end of the study. A modified intention-to-treat analysis was performed through linear regression models and using the Bonferroni method to penalized p-values by multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Twenty-three animals completed the study. There was a significant average difference in weight gain, with a greater reduction in the S2 + OVX group compared to the OVX group (difference= -3.5; 95% CI (-5.27; -1.74); p < .001). S2 + OVX group also displayed a significant average reduction of total blood cholesterol (difference: -16.94; 95% CI (-33.73; -0.15); p = .037). No significant effects of the supplement were found on other secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION: In this murine menopausal model, triple oral supplement dose resulted in an average reduction of weight gain and total cholesterol levels, suggesting that the compound could have a potential effect at regulating menopausal altered metabolism.

Decoding epigenetic cell signaling in neuronal differentiation.

Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are generated in the brain. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are differentiated into neurons, which are integrated into the neural network. Nowadays, pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells can be artificially differentiated into neurons utilizing several techniques. Specific transcriptional profiles from NSCs during differentiation are frequently used to approach and observe phenotype alteration and functional determination of neurons. In this context, the role of non-coding RNA, transcription factors and epigenetic changes in neuronal development and differentiation has gained importance. Epigenetic elucidation has become a field of intense research due to distinct patterns of normal conditions and different neurodegenerative disorders, which can be explored to develop new diagnostic methods or gene therapies. In this review, we discuss the complexity of transcription factors, non-coding RNAs, and extracellular vesicles that are responsible for guiding and coordinating neural development.

The role of type III effectors from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis in virulence and suppression of plant immunity.

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) causes cassava bacterial blight, the most important bacterial disease of cassava. Xam, like other Xanthomonas species, requires type III effectors (T3Es) for maximal virulence. Xam strain CIO151 possesses 17 predicted T3Es belonging to the Xanthomonas outer protein (Xop) class. This work aimed to characterize nine Xop effectors present in Xam CIO151 for their role in virulence and modulation of plant immunity. Our findings demonstrate the importance of XopZ, XopX, XopAO1 and AvrBs2 for full virulence, as well as a redundant function in virulence between XopN and XopQ in susceptible cassava plants. We tested their role in pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) using heterologous systems. AvrBs2, XopR and XopAO1 are capable of suppressing PTI. ETI suppression activity was only detected for XopE4 and XopAO1. These results demonstrate the overall importance and diversity in functions of major virulence effectors AvrBs2 and XopAO1 in Xam during cassava infection.

Percepción de los usuarios frente a la calidad del servicio de salud en consulta externa en una Institución Prestadora de Servicios de Salud / Perception of users to the quality of the health service in external consultation in a Health Services Provider Institution / Percepção dos usuários diante da qualidade do serviço de saúde em consulta ambulatorial em uma Instituição Prestadora de Serviços de Saúde

Introducción. La comprensión de la calidad de los servicios de salud depende de diversos factores relacionados con la percepción del paciente sobre la atención, los elementos del entorno, factores técnicos, el trato, entre otros, requiere un análisis desde la perspectiva del paciente. Objetivo. Determinar la percepción de los usuarios de la calidad en la prestación del servicio de salud en consulta externa en una Institución Prestadora de Salud durante el segundo semestre del 2017 en Boyacá-Colombia. Método. Estudio descriptivo, enfoque cuantitativo y diseño transversal, los datos se recolectaron con la encuesta SERVQUAL a 143 usuarios. Resultados. El promedio general de las cinco dimensiones de expectativas fue de 4.4714, es decir, el 89.428% del rango del porcentaje de satisfacción, lo que significa que los usuarios tienen un rango satisfactorio según sus expectativas. El resultado general de las cinco dimensiones de percepciones fue de 4.1309, equivalente a 82.618% del rango del porcentaje de satisfacción, reportando que los usuarios tienen un rango satisfactorio según sus percepciones. Conclusiones. Es recomendable que, desde la gerencia administrativa de la Institución Prestadora de Salud, se generen estrategias organizacionales que permitan promover cambios en cuanto a la infraestructura, equipos, personal, material de comunicación e información, limpieza y comodidad

Introduction. Understanding the quality of health services depends on various factors related to the patient's perception of care, the elements of the environment, technical factors, and treatment, among others, requires an analysis from the patient's perspective. Objective. To determine the user perception of the quality in the provision of the health service in the outpatient department at a Heal-thcare Provider Institution during the second semester of 2017 in Boyacá-Colombia. Method. Descriptive study, quantitative approach and cross-sectional design, the data was collected with the SERVQUAL survey administered to 143 users. Results. The overall average of the five expectation dimensions was 4.4714, which corresponds to 89.428% of the satisfaction percentage range, which means that users have a satisfactory range ac-cording to their expectations. The overall result of the five perception dimensions was 4.1309, which is equivalent to 82.618% of the satisfaction percentage range, reporting that users have a satisfactory range according to their perceptions. Conclusions. It is recommended that from the administrative management of the Healthcare Provider Institution, organizational strategies may be generated in order to promote changes in infrastructure, equipment, personnel, communication and information material, cleanliness and comfort

Introdução. A compreensão da qualidade dos serviços de saúde depende de vários fatores relacio-nados à percepção do paciente sobre o cuidado, os elementos do ambiente, os fatores técnicos, o tratamento, entre outros, requer uma análise da perspectiva do paciente.Objetivo. Determinar a percepção dos usuários sobre a qualidade na prestação do serviço de saúde em consulta ambulatorial em uma instituição prestadora de serviços de saúde durante o segundo semestre de 2017 em Boyacá-Colômbia.Método. Estudo descritivo, abordagem quantitativa e transversal, os dados foram coletados com a pesquisa SERVQUAL em 143 usuários.Resultados. A média geral das cinco dimensões das expectativas foi de 4,4714, o que corresponde a 89,428% da faixa percentual de satisfação, o que significa que os usuários têm um intervalo satis-fatório de acordo com suas expectativas. O resultado geral das cinco dimensões das percepções foi de 4,1309, o que equivale a 82,618% do percentual de satisfação, relatando que os usuários têm um intervalo satisfatório de acordo com suas percepções.Conclusões. Recomenda-se que, a partir da gestão administrativa da Instituição Prestadora de Saúde, sejam geradas estratégias organizacionais para promover mudanças em infraestrutura, equipamentos, pessoal, material de comunicação e informação, limpeza e conforto.

Seroplevalencia de virus sincicial respiratorio en paciente pediátricos con rinitis alérgica / Seroprevalence of the Respitatory Syncytial Virus in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis allergic

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia del Virus Sincicial Respiratorio (VSR) en pacientes pediátricos con rinitis alérgica (RA). Se incluyeron 56 pacientes mayores de 7 años y menores de 15 años, con diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica a los cuales se les tomo muestras sanguíneas sin anticoagulante, para la obtención de suero. Se determinó IgG anti VSR e IgE total por la técnica de ELISA. Los resultados muestran que 38 (68%) fueron escolares y 18 (32%) adolescentes, 14 (25%) de sexo femenino y 42 (75%) masculinos. Del total de pacientes estudiados, 52 (92,86%) resultaron positivos a la presencia de anticuerpos IgG anti VSR, observándose una prevalencia general significativa, al igual que el grupo control. Se observó mayor prevalencia (69,2%) en los escolares con respecto a los adolescentes, con predominio del sexo masculino. En los pacientes con RA seropositivos al VSR se obtuvo un incremento significativo (346,8±264,7 UL/ml) de IgE con respecto al grupo control sin RA (116,3±89,7 UL/ml). Los resultados evidencian una alta seroprevalencia de VSR en la región, principalmente en edad escolar, esta infección temprana podría ser determinante en la secreción de mediadores que contribuyen en la aparición y severidad de enfermedades respiratorias como rinitis alérgica y asma bronquial. Por lo tanto se concluye que la cuantificación de IgE total puede ser considerada como una prueba de calidad para el diagnóstico y monitoreo de la rinitis alérgica.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). We included 56 patients older than 7 years and younger than 15, with clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR). Blood samples were taken without anticoagulants, to obtain serum. IgG anti-RSV and total IgE were determined by the ELISA technique. The results showed that 38 (68%) were schoolchildren and 18 (32%) adolescents, 14 (25%) female and 42 (75%). Of the total number of patients studied, 52 (92.86%) were positive for the presence of IgG anti-RSV antibodies, with a significant overall prevalence, similar prevalence presented by the control group. A significant increase (346.8 ± 264.7 UL / ml) of IgE was observed in patients with RA who were seropositive for RSV compared to the control group without RA (116.3 ± 89.7 UL / ml). The results show a high seroprevalence of RSV in the region, especially in school age, this early infection could be determinant in the secretion of mediators that contribute to the appearance and severity of respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Therefore it is concluded that the quantification of total IgE can be considered as a quality test for the diagnosis and monitoring of allergic rhinitis.

Chronic dosing with mirtazapine does not produce sedation in rats

Objective: Sedation/somnolence are major side effects of pharmacotherapies for depression, and negatively affect long-term treatment compliance in depressed patients. Use of mirtazapine (MIR), an atypical antidepressant approved for the treatment of moderate to severe depression with comorbid anxiety disorders, is associated with significant sedation/somnolence, especially in short-term therapy. Nonetheless, studies with human subjects suggest that MIR-induced sedation is transient, especially when high and repeated doses are used. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of acute and chronic administration of different doses of MIR on sedation in the rat. Methods: Assessment of sedation was carried out behaviorally using the rotarod, spontaneous locomotor activity, and fixed-bar tests. Results: A 15-mg/kg dose of MIR induced sedative effects for up to 60 minutes, whereas 30 mg/kg or more produced sedation within minutes and only in the first few days of administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that 30 mg/kg is a safe, well-tolerated dose of MIR which generates only temporary sedative effects.

Chronic dosing with mirtazapine does not produce sedation in rats.

OBJECTIVE:: Sedation/somnolence are major side effects of pharmacotherapies for depression, and negatively affect long-term treatment compliance in depressed patients. Use of mirtazapine (MIR), an atypical antidepressant approved for the treatment of moderate to severe depression with comorbid anxiety disorders, is associated with significant sedation/somnolence, especially in short-term therapy. Nonetheless, studies with human subjects suggest that MIR-induced sedation is transient, especially when high and repeated doses are used. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of acute and chronic administration of different doses of MIR on sedation in the rat. METHODS:: Assessment of sedation was carried out behaviorally using the rotarod, spontaneous locomotor activity, and fixed-bar tests. RESULTS:: A 15-mg/kg dose of MIR induced sedative effects for up to 60 minutes, whereas 30 mg/kg or more produced sedation within minutes and only in the first few days of administration. CONCLUSION:: These results suggest that 30 mg/kg is a safe, well-tolerated dose of MIR which generates only temporary sedative effects.

[Allergic rhinitis in asthmatic patients]. / Rinitis alérgica en pacientes asmáticos.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma are airways chronic inflammatory processes, with a correlation of 28-78%. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and classification of allergic rhinitis on asthmatic patients, according to the workshop Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), and to assess the total serum concentrations of IgE and the presence of nasal and blood eosinophilia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A study was done with asthmatic patients ages 7 to 14, attending the Pediatric Service at the Hospital General del Sur Dr. Pedro Iturbe, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela. Subjects were polled for signs and symptoms suggesting allergic rhinitis and its impact on quality of life. Blood and nasal swab samples were taken to perform laboratory tests in study. RESULTS: There were 60 asthmatic patients, 73.3% males and 70% scholar age patients. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 93.3%, according to ARIA classification. Mild intermittent group was the most frequent type, with 42.8% the most frequent clinic sign was the allergic shiners (86.6%), and the predominant symptom was the nasal aqueous trickle (83.3%), while sleep disorders were the most common affection of quality of life (39.2%). In 85.7% of patients eosinophil percentage was higher than 3%, whereas in 75% total serum IgE values were higher than 100 Ul/mL. In patients with rhinitis, 61.9% of the nasal mucus showed altered eosinophils percentage higher than 10%. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of allergic rhinitis is present in asthmatic patients, confirmed by laboratory tests, which proves an inflammatory response mediated by IgE.

Antecedentes: la rinitis alérgica y el asma bronquial son procesos inflamatorios crónicos de las vías respiratorias, con una correlación que varía entre 28 y 78%. Objetivos: determinar la prevalencia de rinitis alérgica en pacientes asmáticos y clasificarla según las guías Rinitis Alérgica y su Impacto en Asma (ARIA), así como detectar las concentraciones séricas de IgE total y la existencia de eosinofilia nasal y en sangre periférica. Material y método: estudio en el que pacientes asmáticos entre 7 y 14 años de edad, consultantes del servicio de Pediatría del Hospital General del Sur Dr. Pedro Iturbe, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela, fueron encuestados acerca de signos y síntomas sugerentes de rinitis alérgica y su efecto en la calidad de vida. Se tomaron muestras sanguíneas e hisopado nasal para hacer las determinaciones objeto de estudio. Resultados: se evaluaron 60 pacientes asmáticos, 73.3% del sexo masculino y 70% escolares. La prevalencia de rinitis alérgica se estableció en 93.3%, el tipo más frecuente según ARIA fue el intermitente leve, con 42.8%. El signo clínico más frecuente fueron las ojeras alérgicas (86.6%) y el síntoma predominante fue el goteo nasal acuoso (83.3%), la afectación en cuanto a calidad de vida estuvo representada por trastornos del sueño (39.2%). El 85.7% de los encuestados tuvo porcentajes de eosinófilos mayores a 3% y 75% tuvo valores mayores de 100 UI de IgE total sérica. El 61.9% de las muestras de moco nasal de pacientes con rinitis mostró porcentajes de eosinófilos mayores a 10%. Conclusión: existe alta prevalencia de rinitis alérgica en asmáticos confirmada mediante pruebas de laboratorio que evidencian una respuesta inflamatoria mediada por IgE.

Empleo del nasóeetro 6200 en la evaluación fonoudiológica de la nasalidad en iinfantes Colombianos / Using a nasometer 6200 in the phonoaudiological evaluation of nasality in Colombian infants

Antecedentes. La medición computarizada de la nasalidad sirve a la fonoaudiología y otras disciplinas para juzgar normalidad o anormalidad en la resonancia del habla y la eficacia de tratamientos para mejorar su inteligibilidad. Objetivos. Comparar el desarrollo de la nasalidad y la nasalancia en niños hablantes del español con medidas perceptuales e instrumentales. Material y métodos. En 60 niños de tres a cinco años, estrato 2 y 3 de Bogotá, se midió nasalancia con el nasómetro 6200 Kay Elemetrics Corp compatible con IBM, nasalidad con identificación del repertorio de fonemas nasales (nasal bilabial /m/, nasal alveolar /n/ y nasal palatal /ñ/) y desarrollo fonológico en nasales con la prueba APPS en español. Resultados. El rango de nasalancia en infantes de tres a cinco años colombianos hablantes del español se ubica en el rango del 38-41% también se observó incremento discreto y continuo a medida que incrementaba la edad cronológica. Se obtuvieron altos puntajes en la desviación estándar en las mediciones de nasalancia, que pueden estar asociados con el desarrollo de fonemas nasales y otros factores como el contexto vocálico, las cualidades acústicas de la voz, las variaciones prosódicas y los cambios fisiológicos en las condiciones del tracto oronasal, que afectan la nasalidad de los infantes. Conclusiones. Las medidas de nasalancia en los niños y niñas del estudio, están 10% por debajo del promedio reportado en adultos hablantes del español en otros países lo que muestra la necesidad desarrollar y validar pruebas específicas para la evaluación de la nasalancia en niños hablantes del español. En general, este estudio permitió avanzar en la descripción de la nasalidad en hablantes del español desde una perspectiva de desarrollo, fenómeno de interés interdisciplinario para la fonoaudiología, la física, la medicina, la lingüística entre otras.

Background. Computerised measurement of nasality assists phonoaudiology and other disciplines to judge normality or abnormality regarding resonance when talking and the effectiveness of treatment for improving intelligibility. Objectives. Using perceptual and instrumental measurements for comparing the development of Spanish-speaking children's nasality and nasalance. Materials and methods. Nasalance was measured in 60 three-to five-year old children from strata 2 and 3 in Bogotá using an IBM-compatible 6200 Kay Elemetrics Corp nasometer, nasality was measured by using nasal phoneme repertory identification (bilabial nasal /m/, alveolar nasal /n/ and palatal nasal /ñ/) and phonological nasal development by using the APPS test in Spanish. Results. Nasalance in three to five year-old Spanishspeaking Colombian infants ranged from 38%-41%; a discrete and continuous increase was observed as chronological age advanced. High scores were obtained regarding nasalance measurement standard deviation which could have been associated with the development of nasal phonemes and other factors such as vocalic context, the voice's acoustic qualities, prosodic variations and physiological changes in oronasal tract conditions, affecting infants' nasality. Conclusions. The measurements of nasalance in boys and girls participating in the study were 10% below the average reported for adult Spanish-speakers in other countries, thereby showing the need for developing and validating specific tests for evaluating nasalance in Spanishspeaking children. This study led to advances in describing Spanish-speakers nasality from a development perspective, such phenomenon being of interdisciplinary interest in the fields of phonoaudiology, physics, medicine and linguistics.