Developmental Changes in the Olfactory Threshold of the Neonate

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Abstract
Ten newborn infants were administered an ascending series of asafoetida odor stimuli beginning in the first day of life and daily for three days thereafter. Seven steps were utilized in the solution intensities, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, and 1.56 per cent. Each S was first administered the weakest stimulus, then the next more intense stimulus, and so on until his olfactory threshold on a given day had been obtained. The results indicate that olfactory thresholds change drastically within the first few days of life, with the infant becoming increasingly responsive to chemical stimuli administered nasally. The data resemble findings in other sensory dimensions for the newborn child and indicate the feasibility of assessment of olfactory thresholds as individual difference attributes of the newborn.

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