Loss of taste and smell, typically indicative of certain variants of the Coronavirus infection is making several children fussy eaters, a study conducted by the UK’s University of East Anglia and Fifth Sense (a charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders) has found.

A condition, termed ‘Parosmia’, so far known to be affecting adults resulting in an altered sense of taste and smell is affecting children as well, researchers have found.

The study has found that individuals suffering from such a disorder are likely to keep away from food as food would seem to emanate an unpleasant smell and taste when in their vicinity. 

While the loss of smell and taste is one of the acute symptoms in adults during COVID-19 infection and after it was very common during the first and second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, such symptoms have not been associated with the Omicron variant.

Distortions in smell and taste due to the COVID-19 infection have been researched extensively and experts have been studying this world over.

Several of his teenage patients have been presenting with parosmia, Professor Carl Philpott of the University of East Anglia said to the BBC, “It’s something that until now hasn’t really been recognized by medical professionals, who just think the kids are being difficult eaters without realizing the underlying problem. “For some children – and particularly those who already had issues with food, or with other conditions such as autism – it can be really difficult.”

Fifth Sense added that the impact has been far beyond just children being fussy eaters. “We have heard from some parents whose children are suffering nutritional problems and have lost weight, but doctors have put this down to just fussy eating.”

For parents who are looking to help their children better eating habits post the disorder, researchers advise that children must be asked to try blander foods, eating patterns must be observed and if need be, the child could try a soft nose clip while eating to block out flavors.

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