[Diagnosis and management of ankyloglossia in young children]

Ankyloglossia is a common condition. Its prevalence is between 3.2% and 4.8% depending on the series and is largely underestimated given the fact of non-diagnosis when the symptoms are limited. It is defined as a short lingual frenulum resulting in a limitation of the lingual mobility. It is due to a defect in cellular apoptosis embryogenesis between the floor of the mouth and tongue. The result is a fibrous and short lingual frenulum. Several classifications were used to make the diagnosis. However, these are the clinical implications, particularly on food and primarily breastfeeding in the baby and phonation in older children that will motivate the management. This is surgical and different techniques are available: infants before the age of 6 months and when the lingual frenulum is still a fine cellular membrane, frenotomy is recommended. Frenectomy with or without frenoplasty is indicated for the older child. The surgery is simple, the results are good and rapidly improving grievances. Complications are rare. Finally, speech therapy is important when there are implications for phonation.