Development of an International Odor Identification Test for Children: The Universal Sniff Test

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Valentin A. Schriever - , Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Eduardo Agosin - , Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Author)
  • Aytug Altundag - , Acibadem Taksim Hospital (Author)
  • Hadas Avni - , Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Author)
  • Helene Cao Van - , University of Geneva (Author)
  • Carlos Cornejo - , Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Author)
  • Gonzalo de los Santos - , Hospital Ramon y Cajal (Author)
  • Gad Fishman - , Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Author)
  • Claudio Fragola - , Hospital Ramon y Cajal (Author)
  • Marco Guarneros - , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Author)
  • Neelima Gupta - , University of Delhi (Author)
  • Robyn Hudson - , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Author)
  • Reda Kamel - , Cairo University (Author)
  • Antti Knaapila - , University of Turku, University of Helsinki (Author)
  • Iordanis Konstantinidis - , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Author)
  • Basile N. Landis - , University of Geneva (Author)
  • Maria Larsson - , Stockholm University (Author)
  • Johan N. Lundström - , Monell Chemical Senses Center, Karolinska Institutet (Author)
  • Alberto Macchi - , University of Insubria (Author)
  • Franklin Mariño-Sánchez - , Hospital Ramon y Cajal, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Author)
  • Lenka Martinec Nováková - , Charles University Prague, National Institute of Mental Health (Author)
  • Eri Mori - , The Jikei University School of Medicine (Author)
  • Joaquim Mullol - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Author)
  • Marie Nord - , Stockholm University (Author)
  • Valentina Parma - , Monell Chemical Senses Center, International School for Advanced Studies (Author)
  • Carl Philpott - , James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of East Anglia (Author)
  • Evan J. Propst - , University of Toronto (Author)
  • Ahmed Rawan - , Cairo University (Author)
  • Mari Sandell - , University of Turku (Author)
  • Agnieszka Sorokowska - , University of Wrocław, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Piotr Sorokowski - , University of Wrocław (Author)
  • Lisa Marie Sparing-Paschke - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Carolin Stetzler - , Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus (Author)
  • Claudia Valder - , Frey and Lau (Author)
  • Jan Vodicka - , University of Pardubice (Author)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)

Abstract

Objective: To assess olfactory function in children and to create and validate an odor identification test to diagnose olfactory dysfunction in children, which we called the Universal Sniff (U-Sniff) test. Study design: This is a multicenter study involving 19 countries. The U-Sniff test was developed in 3 phases including 1760 children age 5-7 years. Phase 1: identification of potentially recognizable odors; phase 2: selection of odorants for the odor identification test; and phase 3: evaluation of the test and acquisition of normative data. Test—retest reliability was evaluated in a subgroup of children (n = 27), and the test was validated using children with congenital anosmia (n = 14). Results: Twelve odors were familiar to children and, therefore, included in the U-Sniff test. Children scored a mean ± SD of 9.88 ± 1.80 points out of 12. Normative data was obtained and reported for each country. The U-Sniff test demonstrated a high test—retest reliability (r 27 = 0.83, P <.001) and enabled discrimination between normosmia and children with congenital anosmia with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86%. Conclusions: The U-Sniff is a valid and reliable method of testing olfaction in children and can be used internationally.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)265-272.e3
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume198
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29730147
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645734

Keywords

Keywords

  • children, olfaction, olfactory dysfunction, smell testing, Sniffin’ Sticks

Library keywords