Navigating the Nuance: Tongue Ties, Trends, and Treatment Decisions
In this episode of The Feeding Pod, Bri and Tovah are joined by Kara Larson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC to tackle the hot, controversial, and oftentimes confusing, topic of tongue ties! We come at this from an evidence-based angle - and no we aren’t using that as just a buzzword. We tackle the research, our clinical experiences, and considerations for family values and viewpoints to help bridge the gaps on evaluation and treatment of tongue ties for feeding therapists. If tongue ties come up in your practice (and let’s be honest, when do they not anymore), then you do not want to miss out on listening to this episode! We hope you enjoy!References/Resources (shortened citations due to text limits)NYT Articles: Inside the Booming Business of Cutting Babies' TonguesWhat Parents Should Know About Tongue-Tie ReleasesNational TrendsJoseph, K. S., et al. (2016). Temporal trends in ankyloglossia and frenotomy in British Columbia, Canada, 2004-2013: A population-based study. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20150063Kapoor, V., et al. (2018). Frenotomy for tongue‐tie in Australian children, 2006–2016: An increasing problem. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00438Walsh, J., et al. (2017). Ankyloglossia and lingual frenotomy: National trends in inpatient diagnosis and management in the United States, 1997‐2012. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599817690135Wei, E. X., et al. (2020). Ankyloglossia: Update on trends in diagnosis and management in the United States, 2012‐2016. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820925415Systematic ReviewsCarnino, J. M., et al. (2023). The effect of frenectomy for tongue-tie, lip-tie, or cheek-tie on breastfeeding outcomes: A systematic review of articles over time and suggestions for management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111638Cordray, H., et al. (2023). Severity and prevalence of ankyloglossia‐associated breastfeeding symptoms: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16609Hatami, A., et al. (2022). Effectiveness of tongue‐tie assessment tools in diagnosing and fulfilling lingual frenectomy criteria: A systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12921Hill, R. R., et al. (2021). The prevalence of ankyloglossia in children aged <1 year: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-01239-yO’Shea, J. E., et al. (2017). Frenotomy for tongue-tie in newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011065.pub2Solis-Pazmino, P., et al. (2020). Major complications after tongue-tie release: A case report and systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110356Visconti, A., et al. (2021). A systematic review: The effects of frenotomy on breastfeeding and speech in children with ankyloglossia. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2020.1849399Webb, A. N., et al. (2013). The effect of tongue-tie division on breastfeeding and speech articulation: A systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.03.008Clinical/Expert Consensus ReportsLeFort, Y., et al. (2021). Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Position Statement on ankyloglossia in breastfeeding dyads. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.29179.ylfMessner, A. H., et al. (2020). Clinical consensus statement: Ankyloglossia in children. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820915457Rowan-Legg, A. & Canadian Pediatric Society. (2024). Position statement: Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding. https://cps.ca/documents/position/ankyloglossia-breastfeedingSilva, M., et al. (2020). Anyloglossia and oral frena consensus statement. https://www.ada.org.au/Ankyloglossia-Statement-Doc.aspxThomas, J., et al. (2024). Identification and management of ankyloglossia and its effect on breastfeeding in infants: Clinical report. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-067605Other:Caloway, C., et al. (2019). Association of feeding evaluation with frenotomy rates in infants with breastfeeding difficulties. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2019.1696