Lingual Frenulum Protocol With Scores for Infants

Abstract

An experimental protocol model for frenulum evaluation was first designed, and administered to ten infants in 2010. After obtaining the data and statistical analysis, the protocol was re-designed and administered to 100 infants. The aim of this study is to present an efficient and effective lingual frenulum protocol with scores for infants. From the experimental protocol model, a new protocol was designed. One speech-language pathologist, and specialist in orofacial myology, administered the new protocol to 100 full-term infants. All steps of the protocol were recorded and photographed. The data collected was sent to two specialists in the area, who evaluated the cases based on the recordings and photographs. The data from the three evaluations were compared. A two-part protocol was designed to evaluate the lingual frenulum in infants. The first part consists of clinical history with specific questions about family history and breastfeeding. The second part consists of clinical examination: anatomo-functional, non-nutritive and nutritive sucking evaluations. A new lingual frenulum protocol with scores for infants was designed, and has proved to be an effective tool for health professionals to assess and diagnose anatomical alterations of the lingual frenulum, and its possible interference with breastfeeding.

INTRODUCTION

The tongue participates actively in the functions of sucking, swallowing, chewing and speech. A small fold of mucous membrane, called lingual frenulum, connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (Singh & Kent, 2000). The lingual frenulum effects the movement of the tongue. When the lingual frenulum cells don’t undergo apoptosis completely during the embryologic development, the residual tissue may restrain the movements of the tongue (Knox, 2010).

Diagnosing any severe frenulum alteration is not difficult, as it is visible. However, differentiating the anatomical variations of the altered frenulum and the potential implications requires extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the tongue and the floor of the mouth.

The absence of agreement on the criteria used for evaluation and anatomical classification of the lingual frenulum may be the cause of the variation in the reported incidence rates of ankyloglossia which is between 0.88% and 12.8% (Kotlow, 1999; Messner, Lalakea, Aby, MacMahon, Bair, 2000; Ballard, Auer, Khoury, 2002; Messner & Lalakea, 2002; Lalakea & Messner, 2002; Voros-Balog, Vincze, Banoczy, 2003; Marchesan, 2005; Marchesan, 2010).

Only one protocol was identified to evaluate the frenulum in infants up to six months of age (Hazelbaker, 1993). This protocol includes several items regarding the appearance of the frenulum, and proposes the evaluation of the movements of the tongue through the stimulation of reflex and non-nutritive sucking. However, Ricke, Baker, Madlon-Kay, DeFor, (2005), reported limitations of this protocol in the identification of children with tongue-tie, who also with present breastfeeding difficulties. Knox (2010) also reported that this assessment tool is not widely used, possibly due to its applicability and complexity. Breastfeeding is directly related to the functions of sucking and swallowing, coordinated with breathing. As sucking and swallowing depend on the movements of the tongue, any alteration can result in functional impairment. Breastfeeding difficulties can lead to early weaning and/or poor weight gain (Hazelbaker, 1993; Ballard et al, 2002; Messner et al, 2000; Coryllos, Genna, Salloum, 2004; Griffiths, 2004; Ricke et al, 2005; Kupietzky & Botzer, 2005; Hogan, Westcott, Griffiths, 2005; Hall & Renfrew, 2005; Segal, Stephenso, Dawes, Feldman, 2007; Geddes, Gollow, Jacobs, Hartmann, Simmer, 2008; Geddes, McClellan, Garbin, Chadwick, Hartmann, 2010; Knox, 2010; Edmunds, Miles, Fullbrook, 2011).

The aim of this study is to present an efficient and effective lingual frenulum protocol with scores for infants.

METHODS

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry of Bauru, University of Sao Paulo under number 113/2011.

From the experimental protocol model, a new protocol was designed. One speech-language pathologist, who is a specialist in orofacial myology, administered the new protocol to 100 full-term infants. All steps of the protocol were recorded and photographed. The information collected was sent to two specialists in the area, who evaluated the cases based on the recordings and photographs. The data from the three evaluations were compared. There was agreement among them. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square test, followed by Fisher's exact test for qualitative variables, the Pearson correlation coefficient for quantitative data as well as analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test. (For additional information on the statistical analysis, please contact the author.)

From the data obtained a two-part protocol was designed to evaluate the lingual frenulum in infants. The first part consists of clinical history with specific questions about family history and breastfeeding. The second part consists of the clinical examination including: anatomo-functional, non-nutritive and nutritive sucking evaluations. All anatomical and functional aspects of the frenulum and tongue, including the assessment of nutritive sucking considered relevant, were included in the new protocol.

In the anatomo-functional evaluation, the position of the lips at rest and the tendency of tongue position during crying were observed. Rising the lateral margins of the tongue using the right and left index fingers, the speech-language pathologist observed whether it was possible to visualize the frenulum or not. Thickness and attachment to the tongue and to the floor of the mouth were assessed when the frenulum was visible.

Non-nutritive sucking was evaluated with the introduction of the gloved little finger in the infant’s mouth for sucking. The movement of the tongue was observed, and considered adequate or inadequate. To evaluate the nutritive sucking, the infant was observed during breastfeeding. Rhythm and coordination among suction, swallowing and breathing were assessed.

RESULTS

A two-part protocol was designed to evaluate the lingual frenulum in infants. The first part consists of clinical history with specific questions about family history and breastfeeding. The second part consists of clinical examination: anatomo-functional, non-nutritive and nutritive sucking evaluations. Appendix A.

DISCUSSION

In the literature, only one specific protocol was identified, for the assessment of the lingual frenulum in infants, including anatomy and mobility of the tongue (Hazelbaker, 1993). This protocol was used in subsequent studies; however, there are controversies on its feasibility and effectiveness (Ballard et al, 2002; Ricke et al, 2005; Kupietzky & Botzer, 2005). Other studies propose a visual inspection of the lingual frenulum and a report by the mother concerning the infant during breastfeeding. Nipple pain, injury and difficulty with latching-on were the most common signs and symptoms related to the altered frenulum (Kotlow, 1999; Coryllos et al, 2004; Griffiths, 2004; Hogan et al, 2005; Knox, 2010).

Due to the absence of protocols to evaluate simultaneously the characteristics of the lingual frenulum and the functions of sucking and swallowing during breastfeeding, a new protocol was proposed. Information was collected regarding the shape, fixation, thickness, and assessment of potential movements and functions which may contribute to an accurate diagnosis. Although there is a lack of agreement on the classification of frenulum alterations, studies confirm the interference with breastfeeding (Messner et al, 2000; Ballard et al, 2002; Messner & Lalakea, 2002; Coryllos et al, 2004; Griffiths, 2004; Ricke et al, 2005; Kupietzky & Botzer, 2005; Hogan et al, 2005; Hall & Renfrew, 2005; Segal et al, 2007; Geddes et al, 2008; Geddes et al, 2010; Knox, 2010). Frenectomy and frenotomy are also the subject of much discussion: whether surgery is recommended or not, which technique is the best, which professional should perform the procedure, and when it should be done (Messner et al, 2000; Navarro & López, 2002; Hogan et al, 2005; Wallace & Clarke, 2006; Geddes et al, 2008; Suter & Bornstein, 2009; Miranda & Milroy, 2010; Tuli & Singh, 2010; Knox, 2010; Kotlow, 2011). Specific protocols allow planned therapeutic actions, clinical procedure documentation, and evidence-based clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

A new lingual frenulum protocol with scores for infants was designed, and is considered to be an effective tool for health professionals to use for assessing and diagnosing the anatomical alterations of the lingual frenulum, and its possible interference with breastfeeding.