Tongue-Tie Management Case Study

Introduction Monica Hogan, Carolyn Westcott, and Mervyn Griffiths (2005) published an article titled “Randomized, controlled trial of division of tongue tie in infants with feeding problems”, where they explored a technique would best help babies affected by tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia). This research study compared the effect of the immediate division against the use of lactation support (a conventional approach) in infants with tongue-tie and feeding problems. Authors’ assumption was that immediate division would improve or facilitate proper feeding against referral to a lactation consultant.
Despite well-established benefits of division (frenotomy), studies show that there is lacking consensus regarding tongue-tie management among clinicians with some medical personnel not supporting the need for surgical intervention. To bridge the treatment gap, awareness of the effectiveness and safety of frenotomy as the most effective treatment option for tongue-tie must be propagated. Infants with Ankyloglossia exhibits symptoms such as poor latching, weight loss or slow weight gain. In addition, mothers also experience sore and painful nipples which may ultimately lead to stopping of breastfeeding. (Edmunds, Miles, and Fulbrook (2011). With resurgent campaign on breastfeeding, the significance of this study cannot be overemphasized …show more content…
Ballard et. al, (2002) believe that tongue-tie in the newborn represents a significant proportion of breastfeeding problems that can be alleviated by immediate division. Similarly, Marmet et. al (1990) study revealed that breastfeeding was successfully established after frenulum were clipped on the five healthy babies and those who declined division continued to experience breastfeeding problems. In contrast, several other cited studies argue that tongue-tie “has no effect on infant” speech or feeding, resulting in referral of mothers to lactation