The prevalence of ankyloglossia in 302 newborns with breastfeeding problems and sucking difficulties in Barcelona: a descriptive study

Authors

  • E Ferrés-Amat DDS, PhD. Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Service of Paediatric Dentistry. Hospital de Nens, Barcelona, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona
  • T Pastor-Vera Psy D, PhD. Head of the Service of Speech and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Hospital de Nens, Barcelona
  • P Rodriguez-Alessi MD, Pediatr, IBCLC. Service of Paediatrics and Service of Human Lactation, Hospital de Nens, Barcelona
  • E Ferrés-Amat DDS, MSc, PhD, Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona
  • J Mareque-Bueno MD, DMD, EBOMS, PhD. Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona
  • E Ferrés-Padró MD, DMD, OMFS, PhD. Head of Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2017.18.04.10

Keywords:

Ankyloglossia, Breastfeeding, Frenotomy, Myofunctional therapy, Sucking problems, Tongue-tie

Abstract

AIM: Oral and maxillofacial development is influenced by the lingual frenulum and also affects breathing, occlusion, sucking, swallowing, speech, among others. Ankyloglossia in the newborn may result in breastfeeding difficulties: maternal nipple pain and/or erosion or mastitis, poor weight gain and excessively long breastfeeds. The main objective of this work is to study the prevalence of ankyloglossia in newborns with breastfeeding difficulties. METHODS: This is a transversal descriptive study of 302 patients, between 0 and 6 months, who attended the hospital as a result of breastfeeding difficulties. All patients with sucking problems and ankyloglossia were included in this study and followed the multidisciplinary treatment protocol made up of the services of Breastfeeding, Speech Therapy and Orofacial Rehabilitation and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. CONCLUSION: Ankyloglossia linked to breastfeeding difficulties must be treated by a multidisciplinary team. We have found a high prevalence of the condition since the population studied are newborns with sucking problems. If a frenotomy is necessary, we recommend stimulating suction with myofunctional therapy before and after surgery to avoid scar retraction.