Abstract
To determine whether nasal obstruction results in impaired nasal function, we assessed olfaction in 48 children, 22 of whom had moderate or severe nasal obstruction due mainly to adenoid hypertrophy. Olfactory detection thresholds were established by a single-staircase procedure employing varying concentrations of phenyl ethyl alcohol, a rose-like odorant. Nasal obstruction ratings were calculated from clinical estimates of mouth breathing and hyponasality, scored respectively on a four-point scale and averaged. Relationships found were as follows:
Odor perception is involved in orientation, self-protection, alimentation, and the receipt of pleasure--all functions bearing on the quality of life and of seeming importance developmentally. Impairment of odor perception appears closely related to the degree of nasal obstruction, and is a factor that deserves consideration in decisions regarding therapeutic intervention.
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Ghorbanian, S., Paradise, J. & Doty, R. 44 ODOR PERCEPTION IN CHILDREN IN RELATION TO NASAL OBSTRUCTION. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 371 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00049
