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' Tongues

What Parents Should Know About Tongue-Tie Releases

National Trends

Joseph, 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.20150063

Kapoor, V., et al. (2018). Frenotomy for tongue‐tie in Australian children, 2006–2016: An increasing problem. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja17.00438

Walsh, J., et al. (2017). Ankyloglossia and lingual frenotomy: National trends in inpatient diagnosis and management in the United States, 1997‐2012. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599817690135

Wei, E. X., et al. (2020). Ankyloglossia: Update on trends in diagnosis and management in the United States, 2012‐2016. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820925415

Systematic Reviews

Carnino, 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.2023.111638

Cordray, H., et al. (2023). Severity and prevalence of ankyloglossia‐associated breastfeeding symptoms: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16609

Hatami, 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.12921

Hill, 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-y

O’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.pub2

Solis-Pazmino, P., et al. (2020). Major complications after tongue-tie release: A case report and systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110356

Visconti, A., et al. (2021). A systematic review: The effects of frenotomy on breastfeeding and speech in children with ankyloglossia. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2020.1849399

Webb, 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.2013.03.008

Clinical/Expert Consensus Reports

LeFort, Y., et al. (2021). Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Position Statement on ankyloglossia in breastfeeding dyads. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.29179.ylf

Messner, A. H., et al. (2020). Clinical consensus statement: Ankyloglossia in children. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820915457

Rowan-Legg, A. & Canadian Pediatric Society. (2024). Position statement: Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding. https://cps.ca/documents/position/ankyloglossia-breastfeeding

Silva, M., et al. (2020). Anyloglossia and oral frena consensus statement. https://www.ada.org.au/Ankyloglossia-Statement-Doc.aspx

Thomas, J., et al. (2024). Identification and management of ankyloglossia and its effect on breastfeeding in infants: Clinical report. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-067605

Other:

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