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Revista Iberoamericana de Educación e Investigación en Enfermería

Revista Iberoamericana de Educación e Investigación en Enfermería

ABRIL 2026 N° 1 Volumen 16

Lingual frenulum in newborns and infants. What is happening in Spain?

Section: Originals

How to quote

Mauleón Jiménez A, Hidalgo Ortega R, González Moreira DJ, Matarazzo Zinoni M. Frenillo lingual en neonatos y lactantes. ¿Qué está pasando en España? Rev. iberoam. Educ. investi. Enferm. 2026; 16(1):e4. doi: https://doi.org/10.56104/Aladafe.2026.16.1021000469

Authors

1 Ainhoa Mauleón Jiménez, 2 Raquel Hidalgo Ortega, 3 Dalma Judith González Moreira, 4 Milagros Matarazzo Zinoni

Position

1Logopeda. Escuelas Universitarias Gimbernat Cantabria. Academia Española de Logopedia en Neonatos y Lactantes (AELNL). España. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0416-63692Logopeda. Escuelas Universitarias Gimbernat Cantabria. Academia Española de Logopedia en Neonatos y Lactantes (AELNL). España. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0768-61753Dra. en Fonoaudiología. Logopeda. Academia Española de Logopedia en Neonatos y Lactantes (AELNL). España. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5829-64474Dra. en Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas. Logopeda. Universitarias Gimbernat Cantabria. Academia Española de Logopedia en Neonatos y Lactantes (AELNL). España. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1818-6248

Contact email: matarazzomili@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction/Objetive: ankyloglossia can cause breastfeeding difficulties during the neonatal period and the first months of life, as well as other long-term orofacial dysfunctions. Diagnostic, surgical, and rehabilitation processes are carried out by different professionals using diverse approaches. The aim of this study was to describe the current situation in Spain.

Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study using an ad hoc questionnaire, completed between December 15, 2023, and February 15, 2024, by mothers of infants aged 0–12 months who had undergone diagnostic and surgical procedures for lingual frenulum restriction.

Results: a total of 398 valid responses were included. Paediatricians were the professionals most frequently involved in both diagnosis and surgery. Observation was used as the sole diagnostic method in 49.7% (198/398) of cases; scissors were the most frequent surgical instrument (62.5%, 249/398); no anaesthesia was used in 50.7% (202/398); and complete resolution of feeding difficulties was reported by 56.0% (223/398) of participants.

Conclusions: there is a high degree of variability in the diagnostic, surgical and rehabilitation processes of ankyloglossia in Spain, regarding both the professionals involved and the tools used. Frenectomy did not resolve the difficulties in all cases. Given the descriptive nature and limitations of this study, further research -particularly qualitative studies- is needed to explore families’ experiences and to assess the effectiveness of different professional approaches.

Keywords:

ingual frenum; oral frenectomy; rehabilitation

Versión en Español

Título:

Frenillo lingual en neonatos y lactantes. ¿Qué está pasando en España?

Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language

Bibliography

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