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Current Opinion in Otolaryngology &... Dec 2023Dysphagia affects at least 1% of the pediatric population. This prevalence further increases in patients who are born prematurely or who have underlying neuromuscular or... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Dysphagia affects at least 1% of the pediatric population. This prevalence further increases in patients who are born prematurely or who have underlying neuromuscular or cardiopulmonary disorders. A multidisciplinary team approach, including an Otolaryngologist, can help promote an expedited diagnosis and therapeutic regimen, ensuring that the patient receives adequate nutrition needed for growth and development.
RECENT FINDINGS
The development and growth of multidisciplinary aerodigestive clinics have improved outcomes in pediatric patients with dysphagia. If a structural concern is noted on examination, there remain a multitude of medical and surgical options to help improve patient outcomes and swallow. These treatment options are usually multimodality and specific interventions may be employed to target a specific and notable abnormality.
SUMMARY
Pediatric dysphagia is a complex concern. For the otolaryngologist, etiologies with surgical targets may include ankyloglossia, tonsillar hypertrophy, laryngomalacia, laryngo-esophageal cleft, vocal fold movement impairment, and cricopharyngeal achalasia. The development and formalization of a multidisciplinary approach has streamlined and broadened treatment options for these patients. An otolaryngologist is integral as part of the treatment team of these patients.
Topics: Humans; Child; Deglutition Disorders; Otolaryngologists; Otolaryngology; Larynx; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 37820272
DOI: 10.1097/MOO.0000000000000934 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Oct 2023
Topics: Infant; Humans; Female; Ankyloglossia; Breast Feeding; Tongue
PubMed: 37816524
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230151 -
The British Journal of Oral &... Nov 2023
Topics: Humans; Ankyloglossia; Tongue; Lingual Frenum; Surgical Wound; Sutures
PubMed: 37805286
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2023.08.237 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2023(1) : The forward head posture (FHP) is characterized by increased extensions of upper cervical vertebrae and flexion of the lower cervical vertebrae and upper thoracic...
(1) : The forward head posture (FHP) is characterized by increased extensions of upper cervical vertebrae and flexion of the lower cervical vertebrae and upper thoracic regions, associated with muscle shortening. The compressive loading on the tissues in the cervical spine negatively impacts suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles and generates increased tension of the masticatory muscles. The tongue has relations with the suprahyoid and the infrahyoid muscles. The pattern of swallowing evolves gradually from birth to the age of four. If this developmental transition does not occur, the result is persistent infantile or atypical swallowing-an orofacial myofunctional disorder with the tongue in improper position during swallowing, causing strain and stress on the jaw, face, head and neck. In FHP, muscles crucial to swallowing are biomechanically misaligned. The lengthening of the suprahyoid muscles necessitates stronger contractions to achieve proper hyolaryngeal movement during swallowing. This study assesses the added benefits of physiotherapy to the traditional myofunctional swallowing rehabilitation for patients with FHP. The underlying hypothesis is that without addressing FHP, swallowing rehabilitation remains challenged and potentially incomplete. (2) : A total of 61 participants (12-26 years) meeting the inclusion criteria (FHP and atypical swallowing) were divided into two similar groups. Group A attended one orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) and one physiotherapy session per week, group B only one OMT session per week, for 20 weeks. Exclusion criteria were as follows: ankyloglossia, neurological impairment affecting tongue and swallowing, cervical osteoarticular pathology, other previous or ongoing treatments for FHP and atypical swallowing. (3) : There is a significant improvement in terms of movement and use of the orofacial structures (tongue, lips, cheeks), as well as in breathing and swallowing in both groups. Group A achieved better outcomes as the CVA angle was directly addressed by manual therapy and GPR techniques. (4) : The combined therapy proved to be more effective than single OMT therapy.
Topics: Humans; Deglutition; Patients; Cervical Vertebrae; Neck; Posture
PubMed: 37763700
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091580 -
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 -
European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Sep 2023In this study we present the new postoperative oro-myofunctional protocol following frenectomy by atmospheric plasma associated with a systemic postural approach, which...
AIM
In this study we present the new postoperative oro-myofunctional protocol following frenectomy by atmospheric plasma associated with a systemic postural approach, which determines functional recovery through body symmetry restoration based on the concepts of the French "Mezieres Method" and postural bench.
METHODS
A total of 130 patients (76 female, 54 male) affected by ankyloglossia of class III/IV, according to Kotlow's Tongue Tie Classification have been treated with atmospheric plasma followed by oro-myofunctional therapy associated with a systemic postural approach. The overall change, improved/worsened speech, feeding, or sleep has been evaluated through the 10 points Parents Speech Satisfaction (PSS) Score after one week and two months.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of the current investigation, myofunctional therapy in tongue-tie results in a consistent significant functional ameliorating of feeding capability, speech and sleeping of subject treated as reported with traditional oro-myofunctional therapy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Ankyloglossia; Myofunctional Therapy; Parents; Tongue
PubMed: 37668462
DOI: 10.23804/ejpd.2023.1885 -
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 -
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 -
Cureus Jul 2023Ear tags or accessory auricles are branchial cleft remnants that clinically appear as asymptomatic nodules or papules in the preauricular region. They occur in various...
Ear tags or accessory auricles are branchial cleft remnants that clinically appear as asymptomatic nodules or papules in the preauricular region. They occur in various syndromes affecting the first and branchial arches during embryogenesis. The presence of an ear tag can have a psychological impact on one's life due to its unesthetic appearance, thereby affecting their quality of life. Talon cusp usually occurs in the maxillary central or lateral incisor. A fissured tongue or cerebriform tongue is characterized by the presence of horizontal or vertical grooves, usually affecting the dorsum of the tongue. Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a developmental anomaly in which the lingual frenum is abnormally attached to the ventral surface of the tongue. It can cause difficulties in breastfeeding in infants and in the pronunciation of certain vowels in adults. The concurrent occurrence of the ear tag along with the talon cusp in the mandibular second molar has not been reported in previous literature. We present a unique case of a 24-year-old non-syndromic individual with the concurrent occurrence of the ear tag along with a rare clinical occurrence of talon cusp in the mandibular second molar, fissured tongue, and ankyloglossia.
PubMed: 37602049
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42095 -
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