Etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of ankyloglossia in babies and its effect on breastfeeding

Authors

  • Ayman T. Bukhsh Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia
  • Anfal A. Almohammadsaleh Duba General Hospital, Duba, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdullah M. Alzahrani Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, King Fahad General Hospital, Al Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Raghad A. Murshed Charm Medical Avenue, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdullah A. AlHubayshi Elaj Sudair Medical Center, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
  • Sarah M. Alsadiq College of Dentistry, Buraydah Colleges, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Fatimah A. Shaik Abha Primary Health Care, Abha, Saudi Arabia
  • Atheer A. Alboeid College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahmed M. Alsumur Ministry of Health, Arar, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdulsalam F. Alsolami College of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  • Thoraya E. Aljuhani College of Dentistry, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20232846

Keywords:

Ankyloglossia, Tongue-tie, Lingual frenulum, Newborns, Breastfeeding problems, Speech difficulties, Frenotomy

Abstract

The lingual frenulum inhibits tongue mobility in ankyloglossia, sometimes referred to as tongue-tie. It affects 4–16% of babies, with boys being more likely to be affected. Anterior and posterior tongue ties are the two primary forms. When a newborn opens their mouth, anterior tongue ties are easy to spot because they look like a heart; posterior tongue ties are trickier to spot. Ankyloglossia can make it difficult to nurse, speak clearly, maintain good oral hygiene, or engage in other oral activities. Tongue-tie can influence a baby's oral development as well as the way he or she feeds, talks, and swallows. It is crucial to diagnose ankyloglossia through a thorough examination. Treatment options include lactation consultation, improving latch during breastfeeding, and a procedure called frenotomy, which involves releasing the frenulum. Research is ongoing to establish evidence-based recommendations and standardized diagnostic criteria for ankyloglossia. This review will focus on etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of ankyloglossia in babies and its effect on breastfeeding.

References

Mills N, Keough N, Geddes DT, Pransky SM, Mirjalili SA. Defining the anatomy of the neonatal lingual frenulum. Clinical anatomy (New York, NY). 2019;32(6):824-35.

Costa-Romero M, Espínola-Docio B, Paricio-Talayero JM, Díaz-Gómez NM. Ankyloglossia in breastfeeding infants. An update. Archivos argentinos de pediatria. 2021;119(6):e600-9.

Manipon C. Ankyloglossia and the Breastfeeding Infant: Assessment and Intervention. Advances in Neonatal Care. 2016;16(2):108-13.

Pompéia LE, Ilinsky RS, Ortolani CLF, Faltin KJ. Ankyloglossia and its influence on growth and development of the stomatognathic system. Revista paulista de pediatria : orgao oficial da Sociedade de Pediatria de Sao Paulo. 2017;35(2):216-21.

Buryk M, Bloom D, Shope T. Efficacy of neonatal release of ankyloglossia: a randomized trial. Pediatrics. 2011;128(2):280-8.

Sethi N, Smith D, Kortequee S, Ward VM, Clarke S. Benefits of frenulotomy in infants with ankyloglossia. Int J Pediatric Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;77(5):762-5.

Campanha SMA, Martinelli RLC, Palhares DB. Association between ankyloglossia and breastfeeding. CoDAS. 2019;31(1):e20170264.

Ballard JL, Auer CE, Khoury JC. Ankyloglossia: assessment, incidence, and effect of frenuloplasty on the breastfeeding dyad. Pediatrics. 2002;110(5):e63.

Knox I. Tongue tie and frenotomy in the breastfeeding newborn. NeoReviews. 2010;11(9):e513-9.

Junqueira MA, Cunha NNO, Costa e Silva LL. Surgical techniques for the treatment of ankyloglossia in children: a case series. J Appl Oral Sci. 2014;22.

Hong P, Lago D, Seargeant J, Pellman L, Magit AE, Pransky SM. Defining ankyloglossia: a case series of anterior and posterior tongue ties. Int J Pediatric Otorhinolaryngol. 2010;74(9):1003-6.

Emond A, Ingram J, Johnson D. Randomised controlled trial of early frenotomy in breastfed infants with mild-moderate tongue-tie. Arch Dis Childhood Fetal Neonat. 2014;99(3):F189-95.

Edmunds JE, Fulbrook P, Miles S. Understanding the experiences of mothers who are breastfeeding an infant with tongue-tie: a phenomenological study. J Human Lactation. 2013;29(2):190-5.

Miranda BH, Milroy CJ. A quick snip - A study of the impact of outpatient tongue tie release on neonatal growth and breastfeeding. J Plast Reconstruct Aesth Surg. 2010;63(9):e683-5.

West D. Tongue tie and the breastfed baby. Breastfeeding Today. 2011;9(9):16-9.

Klockars T, Pitkäranta A. Pediatric tongue-tie division: indications, techniques and patient satisfaction. Int J Pediatric Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73(10):1399-401.

Wright J. Review article tongue‐tie. J Paediatrics Child Health. 1995;31(4):276-8.

Bellini S. What parents need to know about vitamin K administration at birth. Nurs Women's Health. 2015;19(3):261-5.

Barot VJ, Vishnoi SL, Chandran S, Bakutra GV. Laser: The torch of freedom for ankyloglossia. Indian J Plast Surg. 2014;47(3):418-22.

Sane VD, Pawar S, Modi S, Saddiwal R, Khade M, Tendulkar H. Is use of laser really essential for release of tongue-tie? J Craniofac Surg. 2014;25(3):e279-80.

Downloads

Published

2023-09-14

How to Cite

Bukhsh, A. T., Almohammadsaleh, A. A., Alzahrani, A. M., Murshed, R. A., AlHubayshi, A. A., Alsadiq, S. M., Shaik, F. A., Alboeid, A. A., Alsumur, A. M., Alsolami, A. F., & Aljuhani, T. E. (2023). Etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of ankyloglossia in babies and its effect on breastfeeding. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 10(10), 3860–3864. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20232846

Issue

Section

Review Articles