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Olfactory deficits in boys with cleft palate

R A Richman1, P R Sheehe, T McCanty

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Health Science Center Syracuse.

Pediatrics
|December 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Individuals with cleft palate may experience olfactory deficits, particularly boys. This study found a stronger association between cleft palate and smell impairment in males, suggesting a potential sex-influenced trait.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cleft palate is a common congenital condition.
  • Olfactory deficits can impact quality of life.
  • The relationship between cleft palate and smell function is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of olfactory deficits in individuals with cleft palate.
  • To compare olfactory function between subjects with and without cleft palate.
  • To explore potential sex differences in the association between cleft palate and olfactory dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • An odor identification task involving ten common household odors was administered.
  • Thirty-five subjects with cleft palate (ages 7-22) were compared to 68 age-matched controls.
  • Subjects selected odorant responses from a list; odorants were presented in randomized sequences.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with cleft palate showed a higher prevalence of olfactory deficits compared to controls.
  • Olfactory scores were significantly lower in girls with cleft palate than in boys without cleft palate.
  • The association between cleft palate and olfactory deficits was stronger in boys than in girls, suggesting a sex-influenced trait.

Conclusions:

  • Cleft palate is associated with an increased risk of olfactory deficits.
  • The olfactory deficits linked to cleft palate appear to be more pronounced in boys.
  • These findings suggest that cleft palate-related olfactory dysfunction may be a sex-influenced trait.

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