[Olfaction in congenital hypothyroidism].

The aim of the study is to present results of the olfactory testing in congenital hypothyroidism in the group of 20 subjects. The etiology of hypothyroidism included: Pendred's syndrome in 2 cases, hypoplasia in 2 cases, athyreosis in 5 cases and ectopy of thyroid gland in 11 cases. Olfactory testing involved olfactometry by Elsberg-Levy modified by Pruszewicz for 4 odorants: coffee, lemon, mint and anise; smell fatigability test by Pruszewicz et al. for lemon. Level of plasma TSH was determined in each subject. Age of the subjects, at which hormonal replacement therapy was started and regularity of the treatment were taken into consideration. Obtained results: impaired odorant identification and shortened smell fatigability period prove a significant impact of thyroid status on central nervous system development most probably already prior to birth and on cognition processes.