Changes in the Epidemiology of Pediatric Olfactory Dysfunction Before and After COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered the epidemiology and clinical features of pediatric olfactory dysfunction, but data focusing on children remain limited, particularly regarding etiological changes and qualitative symptoms such as parosmia. This study investigated temporal changes in pediatric presentations at a tertiary smell clinic.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL: We retrospectively reviewed patients younger than 18 years who visited our clinic for olfactory dysfunction between January 2009 and December 2024. Patients were divided into pre-pandemic (January 2009-March 2020) and post-pandemic (April 2020-December 2024) cohorts. Etiology was determined using clinical history, imaging, nasal endoscopy, and psychophysical and subjective olfactory tests.

RESULTS

The proportion of pediatric patients among all patients with olfactory dysfunction increased significantly from 1.5% (35/2322) in the pre-pandemic cohort to 4.7% (48/1022) in the post-pandemic cohort (p < 0.01), with a corresponding decrease in adults. Etiological distribution shifted significantly (p < 0.01): olfactory cleft stenosis predominated in pre-pandemic, whereas upper respiratory tract infection became the leading cause in the post-pandemic cohort, 76% of cases of which related to COVID-19. Parosmia was observed exclusively in post-COVID-19 pediatric patients. Subjective olfactory scores were higher with post-pandemic patients, indicating more mildly perceived dysfunction, while psychophysical test results showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

After the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric olfactory dysfunction became more frequent and was predominantly associated with post-infectious causes, particularly COVID-19, with parosmia emerging as a characteristic feature. Greater clinical awareness and pediatric-specific diagnostic standards will be needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.