Age-Related Variation in Odor Identification Performance in Children Assessed with the Brief Smell Identification Test

Background/Objectives: Odor identification in children is influenced by age and developmental factors, yet age-related variation in Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) performance remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to characterize age-related differences in B-SIT performance and examine its association with chronological age. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 162 children aged 6–14 years recruited between January 2025 and January 2026. Participants completed the Turkish version of the B-SIT and were categorized as 6–8 years (n = 55), 9–11 years (n = 54), and 12–14 years (n = 53). B-SIT scores were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons. Associations with age were assessed using Spearman correlation and simple linear regression. Results: Among the 162 children included in the study, B-SIT scores differed significantly among age groups (H(2) = 13.984, p = 0.001), with median scores of 9, 9, and 10, respectively. After Bonferroni correction, only the difference between the 6–8- and 12–14-year groups remained significant (p < 0.001). Age showed a modest positive association with B-SIT score (ρ = 0.325, p < 0.001). Regression analysis confirmed this association (B = 0.212, 95% CI: 0.117–0.308; β = 0.328; p < 0.001), with age explaining 10.8% of score variance (R2 = 0.108). Conclusions: B-SIT performance increases with age during childhood, although age explains only a limited proportion of individual variability. Age should therefore be considered when interpreting pediatric B-SIT scores.

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Journal
Children
Published
2026-09-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091239
Primary Topic
Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Type
article
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article

Age-Related Variation in Odor Identification Performance in Children Assessed with the Brief Smell Identification Test

Mehmet Ali Say, Taner Adiguzel
Children
Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
article

Age-Related Variation in Odor Identification Performance in Children Assessed with the Brief Smell Identification Test

Mehmet Ali Say, Taner Adiguzel
article en

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Odor identification in children is influenced by age and developmental factors, yet age-related variation in Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) performance remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to characterize age-related differences in B-SIT performance and examine its association with chronological age. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 162 children aged 6–14 years recruited between January 2025 and January 2026. Participants completed the Turkish version of the B-SIT and were categorized as 6–8 years (n = 55), 9–11 years (n = 54), and 12–14 years (n = 53). B-SIT scores were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons. Associations with age were assessed using Spearman correlation and simple linear regression. Results: Among the 162 children included in the study, B-SIT scores differed significantly among age groups (H(2) = 13.984, p = 0.001), with median scores of 9, 9, and 10, respectively. After Bonferroni correction, only the difference between the 6–8- and 12–14-year groups remained significant (p < 0.001). Age showed a modest positive association with B-SIT score (ρ = 0.325, p < 0.001). Regression analysis confirmed this association (B = 0.212, 95% CI: 0.117–0.308; β = 0.328; p < 0.001), with age explaining 10.8% of score variance (R2 = 0.108). Conclusions: B-SIT performance increases with age during childhood, although age explains only a limited proportion of individual variability. Age should therefore be considered when interpreting pediatric B-SIT scores.

ChildrenVol. 13(9)
Yalova University (TR)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
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Age-Related Variation in Odor Identification Performance in Children Assessed with the Brief Smell Identification Test — Mehmet Ali Say, Taner Adiguzel · Children (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS