Does ankyloglossia interfere with breastfeeding in newborns? A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Neonatal Care
• Lactation Studies

Background:

• Ankyloglossia, a congenital condition affecting the tongue, is often suspected as a cause of breastfeeding difficulties.
• Understanding the true prevalence and impact of ankyloglossia on infant feeding is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of ankyloglossia in newborns.
• To evaluate the association between ankyloglossia and reported breastfeeding difficulties.
• To identify other factors influencing breastfeeding success.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 391 mother-newborn pairs.
• Clinical examination of newborns for ankyloglossia by a pediatric dentist.
• Analysis of medical records and maternal questionnaires on birth variables, breastfeeding challenges, and sociodemographics.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of ankyloglossia was 15%; however, it showed no significant association with breastfeeding difficulties.
• Mothers reporting fewer breastfeeding difficulties were those with higher family income, who received breastfeeding instructions, and practiced exclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusions:

• Successful breastfeeding is multifactorial, influenced by factors such as term birth, family income, breastfeeding education, and exclusivity.
• While ankyloglossia was not found to be a significant barrier in this cohort, further research is needed to explore long-term impacts and inform frenectomy decisions.