PhD Scientific Days 2025

Health Sciences II.

Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction Associated with Pediatric COVID-19: A Prospective Registry Analysis

Előadó neve

Dr. Garai Réka

Neptun code

B104ND

Előadó munkahelye

Pediatric Center, MTA Centre of Excellence, Bókay Unit, Semmelweis University

Előadó telefonszáma

+36304820868

Előadó e-mail címe

garai.reka@semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction Associated with Pediatric COVID-19: A Prospective Registry Analysis

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Dr. Garai Réka¹, Herczeg Vivien¹, Prof. Dr. Szabó Attila²

1: Pediatric Center, MTA Centre of Excellence, Bókay Unit, Semmelweis University
2: Pediatric Center, MTA Centre of Excellence, Semmelweis University

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Szekció

Health Sciences II.

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Health Sciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction:
Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are among the most common symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and constitute hallmark features of long COVID. Although spontaneous recovery may occur and therapeutic options are available, current literature indicates that these symptoms can persist for over a year. Their clinical relevance is underscored by their association with mood disturbances, social isolation, and malnutrition.

Amis:
To assess the prevalence and one-year persistence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions associated with COVID-19 in a pediatric population. Secondary aims included the identification of factors predisposing individuals to prolonged symptoms, as well as the evaluation of subjective therapeutic efficacy in cases of olfactory dysfunction.

Methods:
A registry-based analysis was conducted involving 310 children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented to the Long COVID Outpatient Clinic at the Bókay Street Unit of the Pediatric Center, Semmelweis University, between March 2021 and March 2022.

Results:
Persistent symptoms were more commonly observed among adolescent girls (p < 0.05). Neither vaccination status, severity of the acute infection, nor history of allergy significantly influenced the persistence of olfactory or gustatory disturbances. During the acute phase, olfactory (Mean: 39.4%, 95% CI: 33.9–45.0) and gustatory disturbances (Mean: 31.6%, 95% CI: 26.5–37.1) were frequently reported, with significant reductions observed at one-year follow-up (olfactory: 16.1%, 95% CI: 8.0–27.7; gustatory: 17.5%, 95% CI: 9.1–29.1). Among patients with prolonged symptoms, weight loss was reported in 29.4% of those with olfactory and 33.3% of those with gustatory disturbances. Although therapeutic adherence one month after the initial visit was 38.1%, 76.2% of children reported subjective improvement in olfactory function.

Conclusion:
Olfactory and gustatory disturbances were common during the acute phase of COVID-19, particularly among adolescent girls. While these symptoms did not fully resolve in all cases, their prevalence markedly declined over the one-year follow-up period, even in the absence of targeted therapy.

SUPPORTED BY THE EKÖP-2024-230 NEW NATIONAL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM OF THE MINISTRY FOR CULTURE AND INNOVATION FROM THE SOURCE OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION FUND.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Prof. Dr. Szabó Attila

Publication of my abstract

I give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies after complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

jóváhagyta

Előadó

8124

Start

16:30

End

16:45