Ankyloglossia and shortened Maxillary labial frenulum

A and shortened maxillary labial Frenuli are a common malady affecting breastfeeding infants. These issues are correlated with aerophagia and resultant reflux in infants and children. The current pediatric GI and oral literature do not differentiate between aerophagia induced reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The approach of frenotomy of maxillary labial and lingual freni has been shown to reduce aerophagia and concomitant reflux in breastfeeding infants with either prevention of prescription antacid medications and/or weaning these infants off of medications. A series of 350 patients was reviewed and findings discussed. A prospective study looking at an ultrasound of lip and tongue movement and airflow before and after frenotomy and evaluation of symptoms of aerophagia/reflux is underway.