PERFIL DE SERVIÇOS PÚBLICOS QUE REALIZAM AVALIAÇÃO DO FRÊNULO LINGUAL EM NEONATOS NO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Ankyloglossia is characterized by alterations in the lingual frenulum resulting in restricted tongue movements. Assessing the lingual frenulum in newborns is important for early diagnosis of this disorder. Objective: Describe the profile of health services that assess the lingual frenulum of newborns in public and maternity hospitals of Rio Grande do Norte state (RN). Methodology: This is a cross-sectional descriptive  study using a quantitative approach. Included in the research were public and philanthropic maternity hospitals in RN that perform obstetric procedures and provide maternal and child care. The information about lingual frenulum assessment in newborns and characterization of these health services was collected via an electronic questionnaire. The data were stored in Excel spreadsheets and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, where analyses of the variables investigated were carried out.  Results: A total of 23 public and maternity hospitals in RN participated, only 7 of which (30.44%) assessed the lingual frenulum of newborns on site, while the others referred them to other medical facilities. The examination was implemented in maternity hospitals between 2014 and 2018. The number of professionals who performed this assessment varied between 1 and 9 per institution, and included speech therapists, and dentists. The prevalence of ankyloglossia ranged from 3.7 to 14.5%. Most of the maternity hospitals performed frenotomy, where the procedure was conducted by a doctor or dentist.  Conclusions: On-site lingual frenulum assessment of newborns was low in the institutions, and does not occur universally, mainly in the rural areas of RN state.

Keywords: Ankyloglossia, National Health Programs, Newborn Screening.