Rinck, F; Barkat-Defradas, M; Chakirian, A; et al.16 |
Neurosciences |
2011 |
Villeneuve-le’s-Maguelone, France |
15 native, French-speaking, monolingual children |
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To investigate olfactory changes during language development |
12 odors were diluted in mineral oil and presented on paper strips (10 cm long, 1 cm wide). During the procedure, the children were asked two questions: "Do you like this smell or not?" and "What smell is this?" |
The results showed that, at five years of age, children categorize odors as pleasant more frequently, and that this change was more significant as language production skills were developed further |
Monnery-Patris, S; Rouby, C; Nicklaus, S.21 |
Not informed |
2009 |
France |
146 children (71 boys and 75 girls) enrolled in public schools |
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To assess olfactory sensitivity and identification in early-age children, as well as investigate the role of verbal skills development in smell identification performance |
The children were presented with 16 smells diluted in mineral oil with the aid of representative images (revised version of the olfactory test devised by Rouby et al., 1997)26. |
Olfactory identification and sensitivity increased as schooling advanced, and smell identification performance was better among girls than boys. However, when verbal skills were controlled, gender differences disappeared, and only schooling differences remained. |
Armstrong, JE; Hutchinson, I; Laing, DG.et al. 17 |
Medicine |
2007 |
Sydney, Australia. |
34 children (13 boys and 21 girls) selected from a local school. |
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To determine whether facial Electromyography can provide reliable answers about different smell and taste stimuli, and whether it is possible to distinguish olfactory and gustatory stimuli as pleasant or unpleasant by using EMG. |
Presentation of two odors (one established as pleasant and the other as unpleasant) and facial control performed by the activity of zygomatic and lip elevator muscles using Electromyography. |
Upon observation of the recordings concerning the zygomatic muscle, more than 90% of the children had responded to all olfactory stimuli, with response levels ranging from 97,1% to 100% for the odors used (unpleasant and pleasant, respectively). On the other hand, the activity of the lip elevator muscle was more selective, as 94,1% of the children responded to the unpleasant odor, with less markedly reaction to the pleasant odor. |
Hummel, T; Bensafi, M; Nikolaus, J; et al. 18 |
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2007 |
Dresden, Germany. |
146 children for a psychophysical test and 12 children for an |
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To describe changes that occur during olfactory information processing during child development by establishing electrophysiological correlates. |
Sniffin Sticks Test Battery (Test of identification of 12 smells). |
The statistical analysis did not indicate any significant changes brought by age concerning odor threshold and discrimination only in relation to odor identification. The sex factor did not influence the results, and there was no interaction between age and gender. The group with 3 to 5-year-old individuals had difficulty to complete the test, and the group with 6-year-olds presented advanced olfactory development, according to the results. |
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|
2005 |
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35 children (19 boys and 16 girls) with adenoid hypertrophy and 30 healthy children (14 boys and 16 girls). |
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To assess the capability to smell and enjoy food in children with adenoid hypertrophy before and after adenoidectomy. |
Sniffin Sticks Test Battery (Test of identification of 12 smells). |
The olfactory function (nasal and retronasal) of the study group before the operation was significantly reduced in comparison to the results of the control group. After the operation, retronasal discrimination improved significantly compared to nasal discrimination. The authors suggest a marked association between adenoid hypertrophy and retronasal discrimination. |
Porter, RH; Makin, JW; Davis, LB; Christensen, KM.20 |
Psychology |
1991 |
Nashville (Tennessee /EUA). |
60 healthy full-term babies (30 girls and 30 boys). |
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To obtain more information about the olfactory environment that is prominent to newborns, as well as about their preferences concerning innate stimuli, and specific post-natal experiences. |
Test of olfactory preference and discrimination for newborns used by Cernoch and Porter (1985); Macfarlane (1975); Makin and Porter (1989); Schaal, Montagner, Hertling et. al. (1980); and Schleidt and Genzcl (1990). |
Statistically significant differences were found concerning the individuals’ search, for a prolonged period of time, for the mothers’ nipple odor (main odor stimulus) than for the control block devoid of odor substances, without any differences between the sexes. Statistically significant differences were found in the search for the smell of formula in comparison to the mothers’ nipple smell, with differences concerning this search between the sexes. The majority of the babies evaluated took significantly longer when guided towards the smell of an unknown nipple than towards a formula with familiar smell. |