Influence of frenotomy on breastfeeding in newborns with ankyloglossia.

PURPOSE: evaluate the influence of frenotomy on the breastfeeding of newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia. METHODS: this is an intervention study performed with 50 newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia. It was conducted in three stages: diagnosis, intervention and reassessment. In the diagnostic phase, the Protocol for the Assessment of Speech Language with Scores for Babies was applied to diagnose ankyloglossia and a questionnaire assessing the symptoms and coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing during breastfeeding. In the intervention, frenotomy was performed, and at reassessment, the diagnostic protocol and questionnaire in order to compare the post-surgical effects. RESULTS: of the 50 babies participating in the study, 35 (70%) were boys and 15 (30%) girls. A total of 68% of ankyloglossia cases were reported in the family, a majority (38%) involving cousins. There was a statistically significant reduction in the average protocol score in the reassessment stage, from 8.38 (7-12 points) to 0.86 (0-5 points), as well as a statistically significant improvement in all variables related to the symptoms of breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: surgical intervention, known as frenotomy, made it possible to improve the negative symptoms of breastfeeding in newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia.

Influence of frenotomy on breastfeeding in newborns with ankyloglossia / Influência da frenotomia na amamentação em recém-nascidos com anquiloglossia

ABSTRACT Purpose: evaluate the influence of frenotomy on the breastfeeding of newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Methods: this is an intervention study performed with 50 newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia. It was conducted in three stages: diagnosis, intervention and reassessment. In the diagnostic phase, the Protocol for the Assessment of Speech Language with Scores for Babies was applied to diagnose ankyloglossia and a questionnaire assessing the symptoms and coordination of sucking, swallowing and breathing during breastfeeding. In the intervention, frenotomy was performed, and at reassessment, the diagnostic protocol and questionnaire in order to compare the post-surgical effects. Results: of the 50 babies participating in the study, 35 (70%) were boys and 15 (30%) girls. A total of 68% of ankyloglossia cases were reported in the family, a majority (38%) involving cousins. There was a statistically significant reduction in the average protocol score in the reassessment stage, from 8.38 (7-12 points) to 0.86 (0-5 points), as well as a statistically significant improvement in all variables related to the symptoms of breastfeeding. Conclusion: surgical intervention, known as frenotomy, made it possible to improve the negative symptoms of breastfeeding in newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a influência da frenotomia sobre a amamentação de recém-nascidos com diagnóstico de anquiloglossia. Método: trata-se de um estudo de intervenção realizado com 50 recém-nascidos com diagnóstico de anquiloglossia. Foi realizado em três etapas: diagnóstico, intervenção e reavaliação. Na fase diagnóstica, foram aplicados o Protocolo de Avaliação do Frênulo da Língua com Escores para Bebês para o diagnóstico de anquiloglossia e um questionário de avaliação dos sintomas e coordenação de sucção, deglutição e respiração durante a amamentação. Na intervenção, foi realizada a frenotomia e, na reavaliação, foram reaplicados o protocolo de diagnóstico e o questionário para comparação dos efeitos pós-cirúrgicos. Resultados: dos 50 bebês participantes do estudo, 35 (70%) eram do gênero masculino e 15 (30%) do gênero feminino. Foram relatados 68% dos casos de anquiloglossia na família, sendo primo (a) o grau de parentesco na maioria desses casos (38%). Houve redução estatisticamente significativa na média de pontuação no protocolo de 8,38 (7-12 pontos) para 0,86 (0-5 pontos), na etapa de reavaliação, assim como melhora estatisticamente significante em todas as variáveis relacionadas aos sintomas da amamentação. Conclusão: a intervenção cirúrgica, denominada frenotomia, possibilitou a melhora dos sintomas negativos da amamentação em neonatos com diagnóstico de anquiloglossia.