OLFACTORY MATURATION DURING CHILDHOOD

部分原因是缺乏标准化的测试方法， 关于儿童嗅觉的数据相对较少。 为了纠正这种情况，我们开发了一种儿科嗅觉 这项测试利用在家里发现的五种气味， 已经被微囊化。孩子们通过以下方法辨别气味 指着描述测试物质的五张照片中的一张。 随机呈现五种测试气味物质的五个区块 在每个区块内进行排序。这些响应使用以下方法进行量化 混淆矩阵分析，它允许确定 正确识别率和图案评价 不正确的回答。我们已经建立了正常的范围 针对4至10岁儿童的回复。正确的百分比增加作为 年龄的作用，表明嗅觉成熟不是 在出生时就完成了，而且这种发育一直持续到 童年。如果是这样，宫内事件、环境刺激或 生物过程可能会改变或阻止嗅觉发育。 例如，我们发现一些儿童，特别是男孩，患有 中线结构缺陷(唇裂和腭裂)增加 嗅觉缺陷的风险。若要确定是否中断正常 妊娠事件导致嗅觉成熟改变，我们计划 研究早产儿的嗅觉。这样的孩子 神经缺陷的发生率增加，但嗅觉 还没有被具体调查。因为，在新生儿中 在这一时期，早产儿经常会有嗅觉 剥夺了长时间的辅助通风，它 这似乎是合理的，后一组人可能特别 易受嗅觉缺陷影响的。我们将测试我们的毕业生 重症监护托儿所，现在4到13岁，有我们的 儿童嗅觉测试。因为动物研究表明 荷尔蒙，尤其是性激素，可能会调节嗅觉 成熟，然后我们将研究早产儿和 推迟了青春期。最后，试图证明 嗅觉得分随着年龄的增长而提高是由于嗅觉 成熟而不是认知功能的变化，考试 能力，或对气味的熟悉程度，我们将利用 嗅觉学习任务类似于在我们的 儿童嗅觉测试。我们的研究结果应该能使我们 为了开始了解嗅觉成熟的过程，请帮助 识别有嗅觉缺陷风险的儿童，并最终 设计嗅觉障碍的治疗方法。

Due, in part, to the lack of standardized testing methods, relatively little data is available regarding olfaction in children. To remedy this situation, we have developed a pediatric olfactory test which makes use of five odorants found in the home which have been microencapsulated. The children identify the smell by pointing to one of five photographs depicting the test substances. Five blocks of the five test odorants are presented in random order within each block. The responses are quantified using confusion matrix analysis, which permits the determination of the percent correct identifications and the evaluation of the pattern of incorrect responses. We have established the normal range of responses for ages 4 to 10 years. Percent correct increases as a function of age, suggesting that olfactory maturation is not complete at birth and that development continues through childhood. If so, intrauterine events, environmental stimuli, or biological processes may alter or arrest olfactory development. For example, we found that some children, particularly boys, with midline structural defects (cleft lip and palate), are at increased risk for olfactory deficits. To determine if interruption of normal gestational events results in altered olfactory maturation, we plan to study olfaction in children born prematurely. Such children have an increased incidence of neurological deficits, but olfaction has not been specifically investigated. Since, in the neonatal period, small premature infants often experience olfactory deprivation from prolonged periods of assisted ventilation, it seems reasonable that this latter group might be particularly susceptible to olfactory deficits. We will test graduates of our intensive care nursery, now ages 4 through 13 years, with our pediatric olfactory test. Since animal studies indicate that hormones, particularly sex steroids, may modulate olfactory maturation, we will then study children with premature and delayed puberty. Lastly, to attempt to demonstrate that the improvement in olfactory scores with age is due to olfactory maturation rather than changes in cognitive function, test-taking abilities, or increased familiarity with odorants, we will utilize an olfactory learning task similar to the method employed in our pediatric olfactory test. The results of our study should permit us to begin to understand the olfactory maturation process, assist in identifying children at risk for olfactory deficits, and eventually devise treatment modalities for olfactory impairments.