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。 为了补救这种情况，我们开发了一种小儿嗅觉 这项测试利用了在家中发现的五种气味， 都被微胶囊化了 孩子们辨别气味的方法是 指着描绘测试物质的五张照片中的一张。 五种测试气味剂的五个区块以随机方式呈现。 每个区块内的顺序。 使用以下方法量化响应： 混淆矩阵分析，它允许确定 正确识别率和模式评估 不正确的回答。 我们已经建立了正常范围 4至10岁的反应。 正确百分比随着 年龄的函数，这表明嗅觉成熟不是 在出生时完成，并通过 童年. 如果是这样，子宫内事件，环境刺激，或 生物学过程可以改变或阻止嗅觉发育。 例如，我们发现一些孩子，特别是男孩， 中线结构缺陷（唇腭裂），是在增加 嗅觉缺陷的风险。 确定是否中断正常 妊娠事件导致嗅觉成熟改变，我们计划 来研究早产儿的嗅觉 这些儿童 神经功能障碍的发生率增加，但嗅觉 还没有被专门调查过。 在新生儿中， 小的早产儿经常会出现嗅觉障碍， 由于长期缺乏辅助通气， 似乎合理的是，后一组可能特别 易受嗅觉缺陷的影响。 我们将测试我们的毕业生 重症监护室，现在年龄4至13岁，与我们的 小儿嗅觉测试 因为动物研究表明， 激素，特别是性类固醇，可以调节嗅觉， 成熟，然后我们将研究早产儿， 青春期延迟 最后，为了证明 随着年龄的增长，嗅觉评分的改善是由于嗅觉 成熟，而不是认知功能的变化，考试 能力，或增加对气味的熟悉，我们将利用 嗅觉学习任务类似的方法，在我们的 小儿嗅觉测试 我们的研究结果应该可以让我们 开始了解嗅觉成熟过程，协助 识别有嗅觉缺陷风险的儿童， 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.