Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of ankyloglossia: methodologic review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the diagnostic criteria for, the prevalence of, and the effectiveness of frenotomy for treatment of ankyloglossia.


METHODS
MEDLINE and CINAHL databases were searched for articles suitable for a methodologic review of studies on various aspects of ankyloglossia.


METHODS
Studies that presented data on patients and addressed ankyloglossia in relation to breastfeeding were selected. Case reports, case series, retrospective studies, prospective controlled studies, and randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. Opinion pieces, literature reviews, studies without data on patients, studies that did not focus on breastfeeding, position statements, and surveys were excluded.


RESULTS
There is no well-validated clinical method for establishing a diagnosis of ankyloglossia. Five studies using different diagnostic criteria found a prevalence of ankyloglossia of between 4% and 10%. The results of 6 non-randomized studies and 1 randomized study assessing the effectiveness of frenotomy for improving nipple pain, sucking, latch, and continuation of breastfeeding all suggested frenotomy was beneficial. No serious adverse events were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic criteria for ankyloglossia are needed to allow for comparative studies of treatment. Frenotomy is likely an effective treatment, but further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this. A reliable frenotomy decision rule is also needed.
Segal
Lauren M
LM
Ste-Justine's Hospital, Montreal, QC. lauren.segal@elf.mcgill.ca
Stephenson
Randolph
R
Dawes
Martin
M
Feldman
Perle
P
D001942:Breast Feeding; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008035:Lingual Frenum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D015995:Prevalence; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology