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Published on: January 19, 2024
Anosmia and olfactory outcomes following paediatric traumatic brain injury
Kathleen Bakker1,2,3, Cathy Catroppa2,3,4,5, Vicki Anderson2,3,4,5
1a Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service , Royal Children's Hospital , Melbourne , Australia.
Insights
Olfactory dysfunction is common after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Children with moderate to severe TBI showed a higher likelihood of smell impairment, highlighting the need for awareness and further research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Medicine
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Olfactory dysfunction (OD) following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is under-researched.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and characteristics of OD in children post-TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of OD in children with TBI.
- To explore the relationship between OD and TBI severity, impact site, and cause.
- To test the hypothesis that moderate/severe TBI leads to greater OD than mild TBI.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study involved 37 children (aged 8-16) with TBI.
- Olfactory assessment was performed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test.
- Assessments were conducted within 0-3 months post-injury.
Main Results:
- 19% of participants exhibited impaired olfaction; 5% were anosmic.
- A significant association was found between OD and TBI severity.
- No significant relationships were observed between OD and other injury characteristics (site, cause).
Conclusions:
- OD is a relatively common outcome in pediatric TBI.
- The study supports the hypothesis linking OD to TBI severity.
- Routine information on OD post-TBI is recommended for children and families; further research in larger cohorts is warranted.
Objective:
Research into olfactory dysfunction (OD) following paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is limited. The current study investigated the frequency of OD following paediatric TBI and the relationship between OD and injury characteristics including severity, site of impact and cause of injury. It was hypothesized that children with moderate/severe TBI would demonstrate greater OD than those with mild TBI.
Design/Method:
Thirty-seven children aged 8-16 with TBI were recruited to a prospective longitudinal study at a metropolitan children's hospital. Olfactory assessment, using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, was completed at 0-3 months post-injury.
Results:
Nineteen per cent of participants demonstrated impaired olfaction, while a small number (5%) were anosmic. A significant relationship between OD and severity of injury was found. No other injury variables demonstrated a significant relationship with olfactory outcomes.
Conclusions:
OD was relatively common in this paediatric TBI cohort and the hypothesized relationship with severity of injury was supported. It is recommended that information about OD after TBI be routinely provided to children and families. Further research is needed in larger cohorts to support the implementation of routine clinical assessment, understand the relationship between OD and other injury characteristics, determine the functional implications of OD and document recovery trajectories.
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