APA SIG: Newborn | Ankyloglossia: To Clip or Not to Clip? The Decision That Has Us All Tongue-Tied

Monday, April 28, 2025

2:00pm – 3:30pm HST

Location: Convention Center: Kalākaua Ballroom B (Level 4)

CE: 1.5

SIG Chair(s)

Cathleen Renzi Gulen, D.O. (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
Tufts University School of Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Cristina Fernandez, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
New York, New York, United States
Sheevaun Khaki, MD (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
Pediatrics
Doernbecher Children's Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, United States

Disclosure(s):

Cathleen A. Renzi Gulen, D.O.: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Cristina R. Fernandez, MD, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Sheevaun Khaki, MD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.

Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, presents a range of challenges that require a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. This panel discussion brings together experts from various fields, including pediatrics, pediatric ENT, lactation consulting, speech therapy, and dentistry, to explore the diverse perspectives on diagnosing and managing ankyloglossia.

Participants will gain insight into the latest evidence-based practices, as panelists discuss the impact of tongue-tie on feeding, speech development, and oral health. The session will also delve into the complexities of treatment decisions, considering both surgical and non-surgical approaches, and the timing of interventions in light of the AAP's July 2024 Clinical Report on Ankyloglossia.

Learning Objectives:

Establish the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to provide holistic care for infants with ankyloglossia, while considering medical, developmental, cultural, and familial needs.
Explore the potential short and long term effects of ankyloglossia on feeding challenges, speech development, and oral health, discussing evidence based outcomes.
Communicate effectively with families about ankyloglossia, including common concerns, timing and criteria for intervention, and treatment approaches, while supporting shared and informed decision making.

Presentations:

2:00pm – 3:30pm HST

Ankyloglossia: To Clip or Not to Clip? The Decision That Has Us All Tongue Tied
SIG Speaker: Bren Chun, DDS – Kim Pediatric Dentistry
SIG Speaker: Alison V. Holmes, alison.v.holmes@hitchcock.org (she/her/hers) – Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
SIG Speaker: Patrick O'Donnell, MD – University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine
SIG Speaker: Julee Portner, MS SLP IBCLC LMT – Mamas Make Milk LLC/We Have The Power INC
SIG Speaker: Janice A. Townsend, DDS MS (she/her/hers) – The Ohio State University