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Odor identification performance in children using the "U-Sniff" test - Administered by an untrained person
Janine Gellrich1, Liesa Zscheile2, Claudia Zickmüller2
1Abteilung Neuropädiatrie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany; Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany.
Insights
Parents can effectively administer the U-Sniff odor identification test to children with guidance, ensuring reliable olfactory function assessment. This child-friendly test aids in diagnosing olfactory disorders in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatric Olfaction
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Olfactory function testing is crucial for clinical diagnostics and trials.
- Olfactory disorders can affect children, necessitating reliable and efficient tests.
- The U-Sniff is a validated, child-friendly odor identification test.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of untrained individuals, specifically parents, administering the U-Sniff test to children.
- To determine if parents can reliably conduct the U-Sniff odor identification test with appropriate guidance.
Main Methods:
- 80 six-year-old children participated in the U-Sniff odor identification test.
- Half were tested by parents, the other half by a trained examiner.
- Results from parent-administered tests were compared to examiner-administered tests.
Main Results:
- All children completed the testing protocol swiftly.
- No significant differences were found between parent and examiner test results.
- Average scores were comparable: 9.68 ± 2.02 (examiner) vs. 9.65 ± 2.38 (parents).
Conclusions:
- A new procedure allows untrained individuals to administer the U-Sniff odor identification test to children.
- This method supports accessible olfactory testing in pediatric settings.
- Further validation is recommended, particularly with olfactory impaired children.
Objective:
The examination of olfactory function of patients with psychophysical olfactory tests such as the "Sniffin' Stick" test is a central component of any olfactory clinical diagnostics and clinical trials. Because olfactory disorders can also occur in childhood, reliable, valid and time-efficient olfactory tests are important. With the "U-Sniff", a child-friendly odor identification test that has already been sufficiently validated is available The aim of this study was to investigate whether untrained persons (e.g. parents with their children) are able to administer the "U-Sniff" odor identification test with appropriate guidance.
Method:
A total of 80 kindergarten children, aged 6 years, underwent an odor identification test. Half of the children were tested by their parents and the other half by a trained examiner. In addition, the examiner performed a concentration test (Kaseler Konzentrationsaufgaben). The results of the two groups were compared.
Results:
All children completed the rapid testing protocol. No significant differences between the results of the two testing procedures occurred. On average an odor identification score of 9.68 ± 2.02 points (mean ± SD) was reached in the examiner's group while 9.65 ± 2.38 points were observed in the parents' group.
Conclusion:
It can be concluded that this study presents a new testing procedure using the "U-Sniff" odor identification test for children by untrained persons. Further validation of this test procedure examining olfactory impaired children should follow.
