A Critical Period in Postnatal Neuroplasticity of Olfaction

Abstract

This pilot study suggests that olfactory deficits from early chronic tracheostomy persist following decannulation and provides early data suggestive of a critical period in the postnatal development and neuroplasticity of olfaction.

Development of an International Odor Identification Test for Children: The Universal Sniff Test

“…However, only two tests have gained use, namely the "Smell Wheel" and the Sydney Children's Hospital Odor Identification Test "SCHOT" 27,28 . The "Smell Wheel" has been used to evaluate olfactory function in children with a tracheostomy and the "SCHOT" has been used to study children with cystic fibrosis, otitis media, renal disease, and following bone marrow transplantation [32][33][34][35][36] . These tests have not been used commonly likely because they were developed for children from a single country and are not translatable across cultures, 27,28 and most tests are not commercially available.…”

Olfactory Dysfunction in Children: A Scoping Review

“…The site and severity of impact in the injury was found to be a predictor of recovery, with occipital impacts correlating with reduced recovery 17,18 . Other mechanisms of injury included children who underwent a tracheotomy in early life, thereby depriving air flow through the nasal cavity for a period of time 75,76 …”

“…17,18 Other mechanisms of injury included children who underwent a tracheotomy in early life, thereby depriving air flow through the nasal cavity for a period of time. 75,76 Obstructive causes of acquired olfactory dysfunction included adenotonsillar hypertrophy, [77][78][79] general nasal obstruction, 80 and juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). 81 Several developmental or neuropsychiatric conditions were associated with olfactory dysfunction in children, including an association with early onset psychosis, 82,83 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 84,85 and anorexia nervosa.…”