In this article
- Appearance alone does not determine treatment
- Feeding function is central in infants
- Speech difficulties can have other causes
Assessment and treatment
- Feeding observation and oral examination
- Lactation or speech support when appropriate
- Frenotomy/frenuloplasty for selected functional problems
At a glance
Definition: A short or tight lingual frenulum may affect feeding, tongue movement and sometimes speech.
Key takeaways
- Appearance alone does not determine treatment
- Feeding function is central in infants
- Speech difficulties can have other causes
Clinical steps
- Feeding observation and oral examination
- Lactation or speech support when appropriate
- Frenotomy/frenuloplasty for selected functional problems
Red flags: Prompt paediatric advice is needed if a newborn feeds poorly, has fewer wet nappies or loses excessive weight.
Quick FAQ: When should I see an ENT specialist?
Prompt paediatric advice is needed if a newborn feeds poorly, has fewer wet nappies or loses excessive weight.
How I assess this in clinic
I first clarify duration, severity, whether symptoms are one-sided or bilateral, and their effect on daily life. I then perform a focused ENT examination and compare the findings with appearance alone does not determine treatment.
Endoscopy or audiometry is not required for everyone. I advise endoscopy when the nose, sinus, throat or voice box needs direct assessment, and audiometry/tympanometry when hearing or middle-ear function is in question.
A common misconception is that every ENT problem needs an antibiotic or an operation. Treatment should instead follow the diagnosis, functional impact, examination findings and evidence-based indications.
Do not wait when: Prompt paediatric advice is needed if a newborn feeds poorly, has fewer wet nappies or loses excessive weight.
For patient education; not a substitute for individual diagnosis or treatment.