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

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.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Children, 2026 · DOI ↗