Ankyloglossia

Tongue-tie occurs in approximately 4% of newborns. Many babies with this condition can breastfeed without difficulty, but in some cases, a tight frenulum makes latching on difficult. In those cases, frenotomy may be indicated. The Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function is one tool that may be used to grade the severity of the tongue-tie objectively. (Video clip of assessment being done). There are no prospective trials on the outcome of speech in those infants identified at birth, so this is not currently an evidence based reason to clip the frenulum in the nursery. The impact on breastfeeding, however, is well documented.

photo by Janelle Aby, MD