Thermographic analysis of infants faces during breastfeeding before and after lingual frenotomy

TL;DR

This study used infrared thermography to show that lingual frenotomy improves breastfeeding by affecting muscle temperatures in infants.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the impact of lingual frenotomy on muscle temperature during breastfeeding using infrared thermography.

Findings

Lingual frenotomy improved tongue function and breastfeeding outcomes significantly.

Post-LF, there was a qualitative increase in temperature in the temporal and masseter muscles.

No temperature change was observed in the buccinator muscle after lingual frenotomy.

Abstract

To analyze surface skin temperature with infrared thermography (IRT) in the regions of the temporal, masseter, and buccinator muscles during breastfeeding before and after LF.

Non-randomized clinical trial in 40 infants diagnosed with ankyloglossia. The lingual frenulum was assessed with the Neonatal Tongue Screening Test, breastfeeding was assessed with a protocol and pain scale, and the regions of interest were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed with IRT. Two independent evaluators analyzed the data.

There were post-LF improvements in the functional-anatomical tongue assessment (p < 0.001), breastfeeding pain scale (p < 0.001), and breastfeeding assessment regarding the mother’s general aspect (p < 0.001), breast pain (p = 0.03), and suction (p < 0.001). IRT data after LF showed a qualitative increase in temperature in the regions of the temporal and masseter muscles. There was no difference in the region of the buccinator muscle.

LF impacts the surface skin temperature in the regions of mandibular levator muscles during breastfeeding.

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