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Ankyloglossia, Pediatric

Timothy R. Shope, MD, MPH, David H. Chi, MD and Melissa A. Buryk, MD, MPH Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Anatomic variation of the tongue in which the lingual frenulum is unusually tight and short. Also known as tongue-tie. This condition may result in impaired tongue mobility with earl...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis based on physical appearance and functional impairment of breastfeeding or speech 

HISTORY

  • Maternal report of difficulty with infant latch or nipple pain while breastfeeding

  • Report of...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Observation if there is no functional impairment of breastfeeding or speech

  • Surgical treatment if functional impairment is present

  • Treatment is frenotomy—incision of lingual fr...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Infants should be seen about 1 week after frenotomy to assess feeding and weight gain.

  • Older children should be seen about 6 weeks after surgery to assess function...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Buryk M, Bloom D, Shope T. Efficacy of neonatal release of ankyloglossia: a randomized trial. Pediatrics.  2011;128(2):280–288. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Chinnadurai S, Fr...

CODES

ICD9

  • 750.0 Tongue tie

  • 779.31 Feeding problems in newborn

ICD10

  • Q38.1 Ankyloglossia

  • P92.8 Other feeding problems of newborn

SNOMED

  • 67787004 tongue tie (disorder)

  • 206568009 Difficulty in feeding at breast...

FAQ

  • Q: What is the appropriate time to perform frenotomy in breastfeeding newborns with ankyloglossia?

  • A: Optimal timing is not known. A reasonable approach is to allow enough time to establish that th...

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