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American Journal of Speech-language... Nov 2023The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of pediatric quality-of-life sequelae associated with ankyloglossia that may affect children who do not undergo... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of pediatric quality-of-life sequelae associated with ankyloglossia that may affect children who do not undergo tongue-tie release (frenotomy) during infancy.
DATA SOURCES
This study contains data from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (1961-January 2023).
REVIEW METHOD
The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. Experimental and observational studies were eligible if they reported baseline outcomes associated with ankyloglossia in children above a year of age. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. Low-quality studies were excluded.
CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-six of 1,568 screened studies (> 1,228 patients) were included. Six studies were high quality and 20 were medium quality. Studies identified various symptoms that may be partially attributable to ankyloglossia after infancy, including speech/articulation difficulties, eating difficulties, dysphagia, sleep-disordered breathing symptoms, dental malocclusion, and social embarrassment such as oral hygiene issues. Multiple comparative studies found associations between ankyloglossia and risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea; a randomized controlled trial found that frenotomy may attenuate apnea severity. Ankyloglossia may also promote dental crowding.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Ankyloglossia may be associated with myriad effects on children's quality of life that extend beyond breastfeeding, but current data regarding the impact are inconclusive. This review provides a map of symptoms that providers may want to evaluate as we continue to debate the decision to proceed with frenotomy or nonsurgical therapies in children with ankyloglossia. A continuing need exists for controlled efficacy research on frenotomy for symptoms in older children and on possible longitudinal benefits of early frenotomy for maxillofacial development.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.23900199.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Infant; Ankyloglossia; Breast Feeding; Lingual Frenum; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37606583
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJSLP-23-00169 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Apr 2024Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a condition where the anatomical variation of the sublingual frenulum can limit normal tongue function. In Denmark, as in other countries,... (Review)
Review
Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a condition where the anatomical variation of the sublingual frenulum can limit normal tongue function. In Denmark, as in other countries, an increase in the number of children treated for ankyloglossia has been described over the past years. Whether or not ankyloglossia and its release affect the speech has also been increasingly discussed on Danish television and social media. In this review, the possible connection between ankyloglossia, its surgical treatment, and speech development in children is discussed.
Topics: Humans; Ankyloglossia; Child; Language Development; Tongue; Lingual Frenum; Speech; Infant
PubMed: 38704717
DOI: 10.61409/V11230699 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The aim of this narrative review is to analyze and compare the current scientific evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic lingual frenulum in... (Review)
Review
AIM
The aim of this narrative review is to analyze and compare the current scientific evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic lingual frenulum in preschool and school-age children. The treatments considered in this review are traditional surgical therapy, laser-assisted surgical therapy, and functional rehabilitation therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and PubMed Central search engines, considering articles published in the English language between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2022. The bibliographic search was performed using the following keywords as search strings: "lingual", "frenulectomy", "frenulotomy", "frenulum", "ankyloglossia", and "laser."
RESULTS
A total of 14 articles were included in this review, including four prospective observational studies, one case-control study, three cross-sectional studies, four retrospective studies, and one randomized controlled trial. The data extracted from each article are summarized in a table.
CONCLUSIONS
In the literature, there are still limited studies regarding the treatment of hypertrophic frenulum. No common indications for the treatment of ankyloglossia and universally used classification for lingual frenulum were found. Currently, clinicians prefer the use of a diode laser for treatment. This method offers several advantages over the use of a scalpel blade. Many studies agree on the usefulness of providing patients with myofunctional rehabilitation to improve lingual mobility, both prior to surgical therapy and in the postoperative period.
PubMed: 38002899
DOI: 10.3390/children10111808 -
Pediatric Research Jan 2024Symptoms related to infant ankyloglossia/tongue-tie may deter mothers from breastfeeding, yet frenotomy is controversial. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Symptoms related to infant ankyloglossia/tongue-tie may deter mothers from breastfeeding, yet frenotomy is controversial.
METHODS
Databases included PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1961-2023. Controlled trials and cohort studies with validated measures of surgical efficacy for breastfeeding outcomes were eligible. Meta-analyses synthesized data with inverse-variance weighting to determine standardized mean differences (SMD) between pre-/postoperative scores.
RESULTS
Twenty-one of 1568 screened studies were included. Breastfeeding self-efficacy improved significantly post-frenotomy: medium effect after 5-10 days (SMD 0.60 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.71; P < 0.001]), large effect after 1 month (SMD 0.91 [CI: 0.79, 1.04; P < 0.001]). Nipple pain decreased significantly post-frenotomy: large effect after 5-15 days (SMD -1.10 [CI: -1.49, -0.70; P < 0.001]) and 1 month (SMD -1.23 [CI: -1.79, -0.67; P = 0.002]). Frenotomy had a medium effect on infant gastroesophageal reflux severity at 1-week follow-up (SMD -0.63 [CI: -0.95, -0.31; P = 0.008]), with continued improvement at 1 month (SMD -0.41 [CI: -0.78, -0.05; P = 0.04]). From LATCH scores, breastfeeding quality improved after 5-7 days by a large SMD of 1.28 (CI: 0.56, 2.00; P = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Providers should offer frenotomy to improve outcomes in dyads with ankyloglossia-associated breastfeeding difficulties.
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO identifier CRD42022303838 .
IMPACT
This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that breastfeeding self-efficacy, maternal pain, infant latch, and infant gastroesophageal reflux significantly improve after frenotomy in mother-infant dyads with breastfeeding difficulties and ankyloglossia. Providers should offer frenotomy to improve breastfeeding outcomes in symptomatic mother-infant dyads who face challenges associated with ankyloglossia.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Ankyloglossia; Breast Feeding; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Lingual Frenum; Pain; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37608056
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02784-y -
Seminars in Speech and Language Aug 2023The purpose of this article is to (1) define the diagnostic characteristics of ankyloglossia, (2) identify potential problems associated with ankyloglossia, and (3)... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this article is to (1) define the diagnostic characteristics of ankyloglossia, (2) identify potential problems associated with ankyloglossia, and (3) discuss treatment options, when treatment is appropriate. This article is based on a review of the literature, including recent systematic reviews, and the author's experience as a cleft and orofacial specialist. Ankyloglossia is a common congenital condition characterized by an anterior attachment of the lingual frenulum on the tongue. This causes difficulty elevating and/or protruding the tongue tip. As such, ankyloglossia has been thought to affect neonatal feeding, speech, and other functions. Although systematic reviews have concluded that most infants with ankyloglossia can be fed normally, a small percentage of affected infants will show improved efficiency of feeding post-frenotomy. They also concluded that frenotomy may relieve nipple pain in the breastfeeding mothers of affected infants. Regarding speech, the systematic reviews concluded that there is no evidence that ankyloglossia causes speech disorders. This may be because simple compensations will result in normal acoustics of the sounds. Therefore, frenotomy should be recommended sparingly for newborn infants, and it should rarely, if ever, be recommended for speech disorders.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Ankyloglossia; Tongue; Speech; Speech Disorders
PubMed: 37748489
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772598 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Feb 2024
Topics: Infant; Humans; Ankyloglossia; Lingual Frenum
PubMed: 38346778
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230151-f -
Clinics in Perinatology Sep 2023Breastfeeding is the biologic norm for newborn feeding, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is universally endorsed by leading global and... (Review)
Review
Breastfeeding is the biologic norm for newborn feeding, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is universally endorsed by leading global and national organizations. Despite these recommendations, many people do not meet their breastfeeding goals and controversies surrounding breastfeeding problems exist. Medical issues can present challenges for the clinician and parents to successfully meet desired feeding outcomes. There are studies evaluating these common controversies and medical conundrums, and clinicians should provide evidence-based recommendations when counseling families about newborn feeding.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Infant; Breast Feeding
PubMed: 37536775
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2023.04.003 -
Journal of the American Dental... Jan 2024Ankyloglossia is a congenital alteration that affects the tongue's mobility, influencing craniofacial development; however, its association with malocclusion is still... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ankyloglossia is a congenital alteration that affects the tongue's mobility, influencing craniofacial development; however, its association with malocclusion is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the association between ankyloglossia and malocclusion in patients.
TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED
The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that investigated the association between malocclusion and the presence of ankyloglossia in any age group, used any assessment tool to diagnose ankyloglossia, and considered all types of malocclusion. The authors conducted searches in 8 electronic databases through July 1, 2022. They used Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools to assess the methodological quality and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach to assess the certainty of the evidence.
RESULTS
Eleven studies (5 cross-sectional, 6 case-control) included 2,904 patients and over 13 occlusal alterations. The certainty of the evidence ranged from low through very low. Patients with Angle Class III malocclusion had similar or more inserted lingual frenula than patients with Class I malocclusion (standard mean difference, 0.37; 95% CI, -0.50 to 1.25) and Class II malocclusion (standard mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, -0.52 to 1.63). Patients with Class III malocclusion had clinically significant increased mouth opening reduction compared with patients with Class I malocclusion (mean difference, 6.67; 95% CI, 4.01 to 9.33) and Class II malocclusion (mean difference, 5.04; 95% CI, 2.35 to 7.72) patients.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
There is uncertain evidence that ankyloglossia may be associated with the development of occlusal alterations. Ankyloglossia did not influence the Angle classification. Clinicians should closely follow children with ankyloglossia to evaluate whether this condition interferes with the occlusion. Future research should prospectively follow up on the long-term association between ankyloglossia and malocclusion. The protocol was registered a priori in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021248034). No amendments were deemed necessary after the registration of the protocol. Some subgroup analyses planned a priori were not possible, such as the severity of ankyloglossia, sex, and age, due to the lack of studies reporting data for these subgroups.
Topics: Child; Humans; Ankyloglossia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Malocclusion; Malocclusion, Angle Class III; Malocclusion, Angle Class II
PubMed: 37999659
DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2023.09.014 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023This is a literature review of ankyloglossia and its correlation with lactation problems. Ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as tongue-tie, brings about functional... (Review)
Review
This is a literature review of ankyloglossia and its correlation with lactation problems. Ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as tongue-tie, brings about functional difficulties and, in some cases, may lead to early weaning. It is crucial to use breastfeeding as the exclusive food source for the first six months of an infant's life, and the interference of the tongue contributes substantially to success in this regard. Even though there are many publications about ankyloglossia, there are still many controversies about its definition, diagnosis, classification, and treatment decision determined via frenotomy. Some researchers state that the identification of ankyloglossia should be based on morphological and anatomical evidence, while others claim that a short or tight frenulum should be examined in correlation with the impact on the mother-infant dyad during breastfeeding. By encouraging and supporting mothers in coping with feeding difficulties, their lactation experiences are improved, and they can continue breastfeeding.
PubMed: 38136104
DOI: 10.3390/children10121902