The Influence of Cognitive Parameters on Olfactory Assessment in Healthy Children and Adolescents

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Olfactory threshold and odor identification tests are frequently used for assessment of olfactory function in children and adolescents. Whether olfactory test results are influenced by cognitive parameters or sex in children and adolescents is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cognition, age and sex on "Sniffin' Sticks"olfactory threshold and "U-Sniff"odor identification performance in a pediatric population. A total of 200 participants between age 6 and 17 years were included. Olfactory function (olfactory threshold and odor identification) was assessed using the "Sniffin' Sticks."In addition, age appropriate cognitive testing was applied. The results of this study indicate that odor identification test performance is positively correlated with age (r = 0.31) and verbal abilities of children (r = 0.24). Olfactory threshold results are only marginally influenced by age (r = 0.18) and are not associated with cognitive test performance. Olfactory assessment using olfactory threshold and "U-Sniff"odor identification testing is suitable for children and adolescents when considering age in the interpretation of test results.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numberbjaa072
JournalChemical senses
Volume46
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 33119057
ORCID /0000-0002-7336-5815/work/142659528
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645510

Keywords

Keywords

  • "Sniffin' Sticks", children, cognition, odor identification, olfactory threshold