Taste function in children: normative values and associated factors.
Journal
Pediatric research
ISSN: 1530-0447
Titre abrégé: Pediatr Res
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0100714
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
10 2022
10 2022
Historique:
received:
09
08
2021
accepted:
10
12
2021
revised:
23
11
2021
pubmed:
30
12
2021
medline:
26
10
2022
entrez:
29
12
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Although less frequent than in adults, taste loss also occurs in childhood. "Taste Strips" are frequently used for diagnosing taste dysfunction; however, normative values are lacking for children. In this study, we will create normative values for the "Taste Strips" in children. This cross-sectional study included 609 children aged 6-15 years. "Taste Strips" were used to determine sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste scores by a non-forced procedure. The 10th percentile was used to distinguish normal taste function from a reduced sense of taste. Multivariable generalized linear models (GLM) were estimated to study the effect of age (group), sex, and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) status on taste function. Taste function changed with age, allowing for a distinction of three age groups: (I) 6-7 years, (II) 8-9 years, and (III) 10-15 years. Normative values were created for the age groups and boys and girls separately. Additionally, GLM showed a significant effect of (1) age (group) on sweet, salty, bitter, and total taste scores; (2) sex on sweet, sour, and total taste scores; and (3) PROP status on total taste scores. This study provided normative values for the "Taste Strips" in children, highlighting age- and sex-related differences. Taste dysfunction can be harmful and impacts quality of life, a topic that became increasingly important since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although taste dysfunction is thought to be rare in childhood, the detrimental impact of such dysfunction might be large, as children's eating habits are strongly influenced by input from the chemical senses. Measuring taste function may elucidate the relationship between taste dysfunction and disease, fostering the development of more appropriate supportive strategies. However, adequate tools are lacking for children. Normative values of the "Taste Strips" are now available for children, which bolster the clinical utility of this test.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Although less frequent than in adults, taste loss also occurs in childhood. "Taste Strips" are frequently used for diagnosing taste dysfunction; however, normative values are lacking for children. In this study, we will create normative values for the "Taste Strips" in children.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 609 children aged 6-15 years. "Taste Strips" were used to determine sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste scores by a non-forced procedure. The 10th percentile was used to distinguish normal taste function from a reduced sense of taste. Multivariable generalized linear models (GLM) were estimated to study the effect of age (group), sex, and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) status on taste function.
RESULTS
Taste function changed with age, allowing for a distinction of three age groups: (I) 6-7 years, (II) 8-9 years, and (III) 10-15 years. Normative values were created for the age groups and boys and girls separately. Additionally, GLM showed a significant effect of (1) age (group) on sweet, salty, bitter, and total taste scores; (2) sex on sweet, sour, and total taste scores; and (3) PROP status on total taste scores.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provided normative values for the "Taste Strips" in children, highlighting age- and sex-related differences.
IMPACT
Taste dysfunction can be harmful and impacts quality of life, a topic that became increasingly important since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although taste dysfunction is thought to be rare in childhood, the detrimental impact of such dysfunction might be large, as children's eating habits are strongly influenced by input from the chemical senses. Measuring taste function may elucidate the relationship between taste dysfunction and disease, fostering the development of more appropriate supportive strategies. However, adequate tools are lacking for children. Normative values of the "Taste Strips" are now available for children, which bolster the clinical utility of this test.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34963699
doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01920-w
pii: 10.1038/s41390-021-01920-w
pmc: PMC8713146
doi:
Substances chimiques
Propylthiouracil
721M9407IY
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1175-1180Informations de copyright
© 2021. The Author(s).
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