Prevalence of Smell or Taste Dysfunction Among Children With COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Smell and taste dysfunctions are common and have been reported as an early indicator of COVID-19. The prevalence of smell and taste dysfunctions among children with COVID-19 varies greatly across studies, which remains to be summarized quantitatively. This review aimed at examining the pooled prevalence of smell or taste dysfunctions among children with COVID-19, summarizing possible causes of the inconsistencies in the current estimates.Methods: Systematic searches of databases were conducted for literature published until 12 January 2021. Statistical analyses were performed using R software, the pooled prevalence was combined using random effects model. The Loney criteria were used for quality assessment.Results: A total of 18 eligible studies were included. The results showed that the pooled prevalence of smell dysfunction among children with COVID-19 was 15.97% (95% CI: 8.18–23.77%), the pooled prevalence of taste dysfunction among children with COVID-19 was 9.20% (95% CI: 4.25–14.16%), the pooled prevalence of smell or taste dysfunction among children with COVID-19 was 15.50% (95% CI: 10.30–20.70%) and the pooled prevalence of smell and taste dysfunction among children with COVID-19 was 20.21% (95% CI: 14.14–26.28%). Higher smell or taste dysfunction rates were associated with being female, younger age, smaller sample size, patients in Asia, and with comorbidities.Conclusions: Evidence suggests that smell or taste dysfunctions were common among children with COVID-19. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for preventing and treating smell and taste dysfunctions among children with COVID-19.

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“…All statistical analyses in this study were performed using the “meta” (4.13–0) and “metafor” package (2.4–0) of R version 4.0.0 [ 37 ]. Heterogeneity between the included studies was evaluated by the Cochran's Q test and quantified by I 2 statistic [ 37 , 38 ]. When the results of I 2 greater than 50%, means moderate heterogeneity, and greater than 70% means high heterogeneity [ 36 ].…”

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“…The difference between those subgroups was evaluated using the Cochran's Q chi-square tests [ 37 , 38 ]. The general linear (mixed-effects) meta-regression models were performed to explore potential moderators on the heterogeneity[ 37 ]. Freeman-Tukey double arcsine method were used when the meta-regression analyses were conducted.…”

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