Development of an Odor Identification Test Kit for Thai Children: Odor Test for Children

Thanakrit  Wannarong; Sithatcha  Wongkom; Triphoom  Suwanwech; Archwin  Tanphaichitr; Vannipa  Vathanophas; Kitirat Ungkanont

doi:10.33192/smj.v77i4.272527

Authors

Thanakrit Wannarong Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Sithatcha Wongkom Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Wattanapat Hospital, Aonang, Krabi, Thailand
Triphoom Suwanwech Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Archwin Tanphaichitr Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Vannipa Vathanophas Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Kitirat Ungkanont Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v77i4.272527

Keywords:

Smell loss, smell test, odor identification test, olfactory dysfunction

Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate an odor identification test kit for Thai children that can be adapted for use in Southeast Asian countries.

Materials and Methods: The test kit was developed in three phases, using local fresh substances. Phase 1 involved designing the test kit and selecting odorants from a pool of 17. Phase 2 focused on test validation in normal subjects, assignment of smell scores, and assessment of test-retest reliability. Phase 3 validated the test in children with subjective olfactory dysfunction and children with repaired cleft palate. Cut-off scores were determined using receiver operating curve analysis.

Results: The participants were children aged 5-12 years. Sample sizes in Phases 1, 2, and 3 were 53, 31, and 36, respectively. Seven odorants that met the selection criteria were chosen. The average score for normal subjects was 6.7 (SD 0.7), with a significant difference between age groups (p = 0.036). Children with olfactory dysfunction had an average score of 3.8 (SD 1.6), significantly lower than normal children (p < 0.001). Children with repaired cleft palate showed no significant difference in smell scores compared to normal subjects. A cut-off score of 5.5 points was used to distinguish between normal and abnormal olfactory function, with an area under the curve of 0.928.

Conclusion: Children aged 5-12 years were able to complete the 7-item odor identification test developed from local fresh substances. The test kit demonstrated good reliability and effectively distinguished between children with and without smell loss, using a cut-off score of 5.5.

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