Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding: what is the evidence of association between them?

Abstract

Purpose: to investigate the scientific evidence, in the literature, of the relationship between ankyloglossia and breastfeeding difficulties. Methods: an integrative review of the literature. The MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched, using the following descriptors in combination: "ankyloglossia", "newborn" and "breastfeeding". The searches included articles published between 2014 and 2019, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Original articles demonstrating an association between ankyloglossia and breastfeeding issues were selected. Results: a total of 31 articles was fully read in the analysis, 22 of which were excluded and 9 included in the review. There was a diversity of instruments used for the diagnosis of ankyloglossia. In four studies, no standardized evaluation instrument was used for the diagnosis of ankyloglossia, which may limit the analysis of the results. However, most studies have evidenced a possible influence of ankyloglossia on breastfeeding. According to the studies, babies with altered lingual frenulum were more likely to experience difficulties in sucking, showing early weaning, which shows the importance of neonatal screening as a routine protocol in maternity hospitals for the cases of ankyloglossia. Conclusions: ankyloglossia may be related to impaired breastfeeding. The standardization of instruments for the diagnosis of ankyloglossia is necessary to improve the evidence in future research.

Effect of lingual frenotomy on the breastfeeding improvement

“…A systematic review and an integrative review evaluating the benefits of surgical treatment for babies who were born with ankyloglossia and who experienced breastfeeding difficulties, suggests that frenotomy may be associated with improvements in breastfeeding and with reduction of nipple pain. However, the authors emphasize that the studies contained in the review are small, carried out in short periods of time and with dubious methodology, which makes the scientific evidence to conclude these findings scarce 12,28 .…”

“…However, the surgical procedure (frenotomy) is established as a primary treatment for this condition, where it is observed an improvement in breastfeeding due to the reduction of the mother's discomfort during breastfeeding and to the improvement of the child's sucking process 6,[12][13][14] . Therefore, the correct and early diagnosis is essential for an adequate treatment and, consequently, better orofacial development of the baby, thus enabling all the benefits resulting from breastfeeding in the first six months of life 1 .…”

Management of Ankyloglossia with different severity: a case series in dental surgery

“…7 Ankyloglossia treatment options include observation, speech therapy, and frenectomy surgery, each treatment could be indicated in different severity. 8 The dentist faces a unique challenge when diagnosing and treating ankyloglossia in children. Children with ankyloglossia may experience problems such as malnutrition, difficulty in swallowing, speech difficulties, and mandibular prognathism.…”

New Validated Tool to Diagnose Breastfeeding Dysfunction

“…Partial ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as ankyloglossia or tongue-tie, refers to a lingual frenulum that is short or thick. It is associated with restricted lingual mobility and impaired breastfeeding (Cordray et al, 2023; Fraga et al, 2020; LeFort et al, 2021). Thus, partial ankyloglossia severe enough to warrant treatment can serve as marker for known breastfeeding dysfunction.…”