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Pediatria Polska - Polish Journal of Paediatrics
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3/2023
vol. 98
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Ankyloglossia as an interdisciplinary problem

Małgorzata Barbara Gwóźdź-Jezierska
1
,
Krystyna Stencel-Gabriel
2
,
Marzena Machoś
3
,
Helena Sławska
4
,
Małgorzata Kuc-Michalska
5, 6
,
Ireneusz Bielecki
7
,
Joanna Szczotka
8
,
Julia Jezierska
9

  1. Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
  2. Chair and Clinical Department of Pediatrics, Hospital No. 2 Bytom, School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
  3. The Silesian Infant Center “Guguhopla”, Zabrze, Poland
  4. Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Specialistic Hospital No. 2 Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
  5. Postgraduate Qualifying Studies of SLT and Voice Emission University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
  6. Orthodontic and Dental Private Practice, Zabrze, Poland
  7. Pediatric Department of ENT in Silesian Center Children’s Health in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia,
  8. Private Dental Practice, Gliwice, Poland 9Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
  9. Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
Pediatr Pol 2023; 98 (3): 185-191
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/polp.2023.131431
Online publish date: 2023/09/22
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Introduction
The aim of the work is to present the current interdisciplinary knowledge on ankyloglossia and to initiate an interdisciplinary discussion in order to develop an algorithm of treatment.

Material and methods
The chairman of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Section at the Polish Society of ENT (ear, nose, and throat) appointed a working group of interdisciplinary experts of ankyloglossia in order to develop standards of treatment in children with a short lingual frenulum. This publication is a summary of speeches of participants of the meeting.

Results
The study presents the position on ankyloglossia in the fields of laryngology, neonatology, neurologopedia, dentistry, orthodontics and pediatrics. All authors unanimously emphasize the lack of sufficient, reliable research and clear guidelines on this topic. The basic issue regarding ankyloglossia is problems with maternal breast sucking, which often require frenotomy already in the neonatal ward. Doubtful cases are referred for more extensive diagnostics. Consultation with a neurologist along with myofunctional assessment of the tongue is crucial. Ankyloglossia can also make it difficult to expand the diet in small children, causing problems with swallowing and oral hygiene. It can also cause malocclusion and speech defects.

Conclusions
The interdisciplinary discussion enabled a broader look at the subject of the frenulum of the tongue and enabled the development of an algorithm for dealing with ankyloglossia, which will greatly facilitate the work of doctors, speech therapists and physiotherapists. The authors concluded that 3 groups of patients should be considered separately: neonates and infants, adolescents and adults. Many issues related to the frenulum of the tongue require further research, and knowledge on this subject will certainly evolve. However, it is crucial to develop rules of mutual communication and interdisciplinary cooperation, which may result in further progress in a more thorough understanding of this issue.

keywords:

ankyloglossia, frenotomy, guidelines in ankyloglossia