RESUMEN
Air pollution has been linked to poor olfactory function in human adults. Among pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is especially relevant, as it may contain toxic metal ions that can reach the brain via olfactory pathways. Our purpose was to investigate the relation between atmospheric PM and olfactory identification performance in children. Using a validated method, we tested the olfactory identification performance of 120 children, 6-12 years old, from two locations in Mexico City: a focal group (n = 60) from a region with high PM levels and a control group of equal size and similar socioeconomic level from a region with markedly lower PM concentrations. Groups were matched for age and sex. Concentrations of manganese and lead in the hair of participants were determined as biomarkers of exposure. Daily outdoor PM levels were obtained from official records, and indoor PM levels were measured in the children's classrooms. Official records confirmed higher levels of outdoor PM in the focal region during the days of testing. We also found higher classroom PM concentrations at the focal site. Children from the focal site had on average significantly lower olfactory identification scores than controls, and hair analysis showed significantly higher levels of manganese for the focal children but no difference in lead. Children appear to be vulnerable to the effects of air pollution on olfactory identification performance, and metal-containing particles likely play a role in this. Olfactory tests provide a sensitive, noninvasive means to assess central nervous function in populations facing poor air quality.
Asunto(s)
Plomo/efectos adversos , Manganeso/efectos adversos , Trastornos del Olfato/inducido químicamente , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Atmósfera/química , Biomarcadores/análisis , Niño , Femenino , Cabello/química , Humanos , Plomo/análisis , Masculino , Manganeso/análisis , México , Trastornos del Olfato/fisiopatología , Tamaño de la Partícula , Material Particulado/análisisRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess olfactory function in children and to create and validate an odor identification test to diagnose olfactory dysfunction in children, which we called the Universal Sniff (U-Sniff) test. STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicenter study involving 19 countries. The U-Sniff test was developed in 3 phases including 1760 children age 5-7 years. Phase 1: identification of potentially recognizable odors; phase 2: selection of odorants for the odor identification test; and phase 3: evaluation of the test and acquisition of normative data. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in a subgroup of children (n = 27), and the test was validated using children with congenital anosmia (n = 14). RESULTS: Twelve odors were familiar to children and, therefore, included in the U-Sniff test. Children scored a mean ± SD of 9.88 ± 1.80 points out of 12. Normative data was obtained and reported for each country. The U-Sniff test demonstrated a high test-retest reliability (r27 = 0.83, P < .001) and enabled discrimination between normosmia and children with congenital anosmia with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86%. CONCLUSIONS: The U-Sniff is a valid and reliable method of testing olfaction in children and can be used internationally.
Asunto(s)
Odorantes , Trastornos del Olfato/congénito , Trastornos del Olfato/diagnóstico , Olfato/fisiología , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Internacionalidad , Masculino , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) as an objective measurement of olfactory function in infants. STUDY DESIGN: OERPs to phenylethyl alcohol were measured in 13 infants, between 23 and 41 days of age. The odor was delivered with a computer-controlled olfactometer. Recording electrodes were applied using the 10-20 system. Data from electrodes Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, and C4 were analyzed by MatLab's Letswave toolbox (André Mouraux, Brussels, Belgium) using the canonical time-domain averaging as well as the time-frequency analyzing method. RESULTS: Ten of 13 infants finished the recording session. We observed OERPs in 7 of these 10 infants. Recordings were best in electrodes Fz and Cz. The N1 peak was visible at 328 ms followed by P2 at 505 ms. In addition, the time-frequency analysis had an increase in low frequencies (4-7 Hz) around 550 ms after odor presentation. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to record OERPs in infants. The time-domain averaging as well as the time-frequency analysis was of value for data analysis.