Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice
Published on: June 15, 2015
Modification of the Sniffin Kids Test for olfactory testing in a population of Polish children
K Dżaman1, R Jowik1, W Miechowski1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
The Sniffin Kids Poland Test (SKPOL) was adapted and validated for Polish children aged 4-14. This new smell test demonstrates good adaptation and high reproducibility for assessing olfactory function in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatric Olfaction
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Standardized and validated smell tests for children are crucial.
- Existing tests require adaptation with child-familiar odors and age-specific norms.
- The Sniffin Kids Test (SKT) needed localization for the Polish population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt the Sniffin Kids Test (SKT) for Polish children.
- To validate and evaluate the newly developed Sniffin Kids Poland Test (SKPOL).
- To establish age-dependent standards for olfactory testing in Polish children.
Main Methods:
- 382 children (4-14 years) participated, including healthy children and those with olfactory disorders.
- The Sniffin Kids Test (SKT) was administered, and the Sniffin Kids Poland Test (SKPOL) was developed using age-appropriate odor identification rates.
- Validation involved comparing SKPOL results with Kallmann syndrome (KS) patients and establishing age-dependent norms.
Main Results:
- The original SKT odor identification rates were insufficient for Polish children.
- SKPOL was created using odors identified by at least 75% of healthy individuals, with age-dependent norms established.
- All 13 children with Kallmann syndrome scored below the 10th percentile, confirming test sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The Sniffin Kids Poland Test (SKPOL) is well-adapted for Polish children aged 4-14.
- The study confirmed the high reproducibility of the SKPOL.
- SKPOL provides a validated tool for assessing olfactory function in Polish children.
Background:
Smell tests in children need to be standardized and validated, include odors familiar to children, and be defined by age-dependent standards. This study aimed to adapt the Sniffin Kids Test (SKT) for Polish children and conduct validation and evaluation of the Sniffin Kids Poland Test ().
Methodology:
The study included 382 children (4-14 years old) recruited in Poland, who were allocated into healthy (n=343) and sick (with subjective olfactory disorders, n=39), divided into 3 age subgroups, but also 13 anosmic children with Kallmann syndrome (KS) and olfactory bulb aplasia. Firstly, the smell testing was performed in 382 children using SKT, and subsequently, SKPOL was created using odors identified by at least 75% of healthy individuals. The 10th percentile of SKPOL results in healthy children was adopted as a cutoff point between norm and pathology. SKPOL validation and reliability were assessed using the KS group results.
Results:
Odor identification score in SKT of Polish children in healthy 6-14-year-olds did not meet the criteria for a test adapted for population studies. An odor identification rate was obtained for 5 odors in 4-7 years old, 7 odors in 8-10 years old, and 9 odors in 11-14 years old. SKPOL was created using these odors. Age-dependent norms for SKPOL were 26.5+-7.5 to 29.1+-7.4, respectively. All KS children had SKPOL results below the 10th percentile.
Conclusions:
Validation and evaluation of SKPOL confirmed good adaptation and high reproducibility of the test for Polish children aged 4-14 years.
