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Ankyloglossia in Central Australia: Prevalence, identification and management in infants
Donna Akbari1, Hans Bogaardt2, Kimberley Docking1
1The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia.
Insights
Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) affects 10.2% of infants in Central Australia. Frenotomy, a common procedure, resolved feeding issues in over half of cases, highlighting the need for standardized assessment and training for healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Lactation Consultancy
- Public Health
Background:
- Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, can impact infant feeding.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and management of ankyloglossia in Central Australia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and management of ankyloglossia in infants in Central Australia.
- To assess the outcomes of frenotomy procedures for ankyloglossia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 493 infants under 2 years old diagnosed with ankyloglossia between 2013 and 2018.
- Data collected included patient characteristics, diagnosis and procedure reasons, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of ankyloglossia was 10.2%.
- Frenotomy was performed in 97.9% of diagnosed infants, often on the third day of life.
- Feeding issues were resolved in 54% of infants post-frenotomy, with improvements in breastfeeding and reduced maternal nipple pain.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of ankyloglossia and frenotomy rates suggest a need for standardized identification and management protocols.
- Frenotomy is effective in over half of infants with breastfeeding difficulties.
- Development of validated screening tools and professional training for ankyloglossia management is recommended.
Purpose:
To investigate the prevalence and management of ankyloglossia for infants in Central Australia.
Method:
Retrospective chart review consisting of a medical file audit of infants (n = 493) <2 years old diagnosed with ankyloglossia from January 2013 to December 2018 in the primary hospital in Central Australia. Patient characteristics, reason for diagnosis, reason for procedure and outcomes of procedures routinely recorded in the patient clinical files were recorded.
Results:
The overall prevalence of ankyloglossia in this population was 10.2%. Frenotomy was performed in 97.9% of infants diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Infants with ankyloglossia were more likely to be male (58% vs 42%), diagnosed and managed with a frenotomy on the third day of life. Most ankyloglossia diagnoses were identified by a midwife (>92%). Most frenotomy procedures were completed by lactation consultants who were also midwives (99%) using blunt-ended scissors. More infants were classified with posterior ankyloglossia than anterior ankyloglossia (23% vs 15%). A frenotomy procedure resolved feeding issues in 54% of infants with ankyloglossia.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of ankyloglossia and rate of frenotomy procedures were high when compared to previous reports in the general population. Frenotomy for ankyloglossia in infants with breastfeeding difficulties was found to be effective in more than half of the reported sample, improving breastfeeding and decreasing maternal nipple pain. A standardised approach and validated screening or comprehensive assessment tool for the identification of ankyloglossia is indicated. Guidelines and training for relevant health professionals on non-surgical management of the functional limitations of ankyloglossia are also recommended.
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