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Anosmia in Children

Anosmia is the complete loss of the sense of smell. This rare condition affects about 1 percent to 2 percent of Americans. In children, anosmia is usually a temporary problem, although some children are born without the ability to smell.

  1. Temporary Causes

    • Children with temporary anosmia may be suffering from an infection that has caused their nasal passages to swell. Foreign bodies obstructing the nose are another common cause of temporary anosmia.

    Permanent Anosmia

    • If the olfactory nerve is damaged by a head injury or other trauma, children can suffer permanent anosmia. Brain tumors or psychological disorders also can lead to a permanent loss of smell. Another permanent type is congenital, or inherited, anosmia.

    Significance

    • Children with anosmia may lose their appetites, since the sense of smell is linked to taste. Lack of appetite can result in malnutrition or weight loss. Anosmia can also affect a child's ability to smell spoiled food or smoke.

    Diagnosis

    • The University of California-San Diego's Nasal Dysfunction Clinic has developed an "Alcohol Sniff Test" to diagnose anosmia. Children are asked to smell a cotton pad soaked with isopropyl alcohol.

    Treatment

    • For children with temporary anosmia caused by nasal obstructions, the sense of smell returns once the infection is treated or the foreign body is removed. Trauma-related anosmia is considered permanent if the child does not regain the sense of smell after a year.

    Zinc Alert

    • In June 2009, the Food and Drug Administration warned people to stop using certain zinc-containing nasal sprays and swabs after receiving 130 reports linking the cold-relief products to anosmia. The three Zicam products included a kid-size nasal swab.

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