Anquiloglosia en recién nacidos y lactancia materna. El papel de la enfermera en su identificación y tratamiento

Abstract

Breastfeeding is the best and healthiest way to feed a baby and also has many benefits for the lactating mother. The World Health Organizations recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age. In the Western world, however, it is prematurely abandoned due to two main causes: breast pain and (real or perceived) low milk supply. Both problems may be caused by ankyloglossia. This paper examins he incidence of ankyloglossia in breastfeeding and the role of the nurse in its diagnosis and treatment by analysing 26 papers selected from the following databases: Pubmed, Cochrane, PubMe Health, Ibecs, Fisterra and Lilacs. Ankyloglossia (short lingual frenulum) is a relatively common congenital anomaly with a prevalence ranging from 0.1 to 11 percent in newborns. It may cause lactation problems such as maternal pain, low milk supply, mastitis and failure to thrive, among others, in approximately 50 percent of the cases. Nurses and midwives are trained to identify ankyloglossia by observing the baby's mouth and to treat it by carrying out a frenulotomy when the difficulties are such that there is a risk of early breastfeeding discontinuation.