ANQUILOGLOSSIA EM BEBÊS: DA EMBRIOLOGIA AO TRATAMENTO - UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Abstract

Objective: the aim was to conduct a narrative literature review on ankyloglossia in infants, presenting the criteria for diagnosis, implications on breastfeeding, and treatment options. Sources of data: a search was conducted in PubMed and
Scielo databases, considering articles published between 1990 and 2022 in April 2022. The key words used were: frenectomy; babies; ankyloglossia; breastfeeding. The selection of the papers was made through the title and by reading the abstracts. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were selected, which
were original research, case reports and literature reviews. National textbooks were also used. Synthesis of data: there is no test for diagnosis considered gold standard, neonatal screening for ankyloglossia investigation is a mandatory in
maternity hospitals all over the country. The most used diagnostic tests in Brazil are the “Martinelli Test” and the “Bristol test”. No scientific evidence was found relating frenotomy and/or frenectomy to improve breastfeeding. A multidisciplinary approach including dentists, speech therapists, pediatricians, breastfeeding consultants, otorhinolaryngologists, surgeons, and other trained professionals must be considered to outline the best clinical management. Among
the surgical techniques, frenotomy in infants is the safest because it presents fewer risks of transoperative and post-surgical complications. Conclusion: it is necessary to carry out controlled studies with low methodological bias on diagnosis, treatment, and the impact of ankyloglossia on breastfeeding, to standardize and guide the clinical management of the multidisciplinary team responsible for the mother-baby binomial during the puerperal period.