Ankyloglossia

Abstract

ANKYLOGLOSSIA, commonly known as tongue-tie, is a congenital oral anomaly characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum (Figure 1). Although the clinical significance of ankyloglossia is controversial, many lactation consultants and some physicians believe that tongue-tie can make breastfeeding difficult, causing sore nipples, poor infant weight gain, and early weaning in some infants with this condition.1-3 With the increased popularity of breastfeeding in the last decade, there has been a resurgence of interest in ankyloglossia as it relates to infant feeding. Articles published to date, however, have been in the form of case reports and case series.1,2,4-6 The purpose of this study was to (1) determine the incidence of tongue-tie in the well-baby population and (2) determine the incidence and nature of feeding problems in infants with tongue-tie compared with matched control infants.