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

PURPOSE: 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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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