Olfactory testing in children using objective tools: Comparison of Sniffin’ Sticks and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)

Abstract

BackgroundDetection of olfactory dysfunction is important for fire and food safety. Clinical tests of olfaction have been developed for adults but their use in children has been limited because they were felt to be unreliable in children under six years of age. We therefore administered two olfactory tests to children and compared results across tests.MethodsTwo olfactory tests (Sniffin’ Sticks and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)) were administered to 78 healthy children ages 3 to 12 years. Children were randomized to one of two groups: Group 1 performed the UPSIT first and Sniffin’ Sticks second, and Group 2 performed Sniffin’ Sticks first and UPSIT second.ResultsAll children were able to complete both olfactory tests. Performance on both tests was similar for children 5 and 6 years of age. There was an age-dependent increase in score on both tests (p < .01). Children performed better on the Sniffin’ Sticks than the UPSIT (65.3% versus 59.7%, p < .01). There was no difference in performance due to order of test presentation.ConclusionsThe Sniffin’ Sticks and UPSIT olfactory tests can both be completed by children as young as 5 years of age. Performance on both tests increased with increasing age. Better performance on the Sniffin’ Sticks than the UPSIT may be due to a decreased number of test items, better ability to maintain attention, or decreased olfactory fatigue. The ability to reuse Sniffin’ Sticks on multiple children may make it more practical for clinical use.

Pediatric Barcelona Olfactory Test ̶ 6 (pBOT-6): Validation of a Combined Odor Identification and Threshold Screening Test in Healthy Spanish Children and Adolescents

“…In the current study, we developed and validated the "pBOT- 6 Performance of both U-Sniff and pBOT-6 identification scorescorrelated and increased with age. This is in the same line with previous studies demonstrating age-related increases in children's IS [14,17,18,27]. However, in the current study,although we observed a tendency toward a better threshold score with age, differences did not reach statistical significance.A previous study evaluated olfactory threshold in children using a modified "Sniffin' Sticks" threshold test [20].…”

“…Some smelltests have been created for children [14][15][16][17], however, they are more difficult to obtain and they may not be suitable for very young children. Recently, a new international odour identification test for children, the Universal Sniff Test (U-Sniff),has been validated in 19countries [18].…”

Sleep Supports Memory of Odors in Adults but Not in Children

“…Indeed, by the age of eight years, not all olfactory functions are refined [ 53 , 54 ], and the olfactory knowledge (odor naming, stability of odor naming, odor identification) as well as odor memory improves with maturation [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ]. In addition to an age-dependent intensity and familiarity rating, adults rated odors as being more pleasant which also might influence later memory performance [ 59 ].…”

Beurteilung der chemosensorischen Funktion mit validierten Riech- und Schmecktests

“…Für Kin-der wurde der ursprüngliche SnSt-Test mit 16 Stiften zu einem Test mit 14 Stiften umgeformt, entsprechend der Vertrautheit der Kinder mit Geruchsdeskriptoren und auch der verbalen Distraktoren, die in den 4-Punkte-Auswahllisten verwendet werden [33]. Obwohl ausführlichere Tests bei Kindern unter den meisten Umständen zuverlässigere Daten erbringen [34], hat es den Anschein, dass kürzere Tests ebenso gut wie die längeren sind, weil sie besser der kindlichen Aufmerksamkeitsspanne entsprechen [35].…”