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What does the world think of ankyloglossia?
Author(s) -
Jin Ruilin R.,
Sutcliffe Alastair,
Vento Maximo,
Miles Claudelle,
Travadi Javeed,
Kishore Kumar,
Suzuki Keiji,
Todd David,
Wooderson Susanne,
Kamar Azanna Ahmad,
Ma Li,
Smyth John,
Oei Ju Lee
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14242
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , medline , nursing , political science , law
Aim The diagnosis of tongue‐tie (or ankyloglossia) has increased more than 10‐fold in some countries. Whether this is a global phenomenon or related to cultural and professional differences is uncertain. Methods An online survey in English, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish was disseminated between May and November 2016 via 27 international professional bodies to >30 clinical professions chosen a priori to represent occupations involved in the management of neonatal ankyloglossia. Results A total of 1721 responses came from nursing (51%), medical (40%), dental (6%) and allied health (4%) clinicians. Nurses (40%) and allied health (34%) professionals were more likely than doctors (8%) to consider ankyloglossia as important for lactation problems, as were western (83%) compared to Asian (52%) clinicians. Referrals to clinicians for ankyloglossia management originated mainly from parents (38%). Interprofessional referrals were not clearly defined. Frenectomies were most likely to be performed by surgeons (65%) and dentists (35%), who were also less likely to be involved in lactation support. Clinicians performing frenectomies were more likely to consider analgesia as important compared to those not performing frenectomies. Conclusion The diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia vary considerably around the world and between professions. Efforts to standardise management are required.