Is ankyloglossia associated with obstructive sleep apnea?

Abstract Objectives To investigate the evidence on the association between ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea. Methods An integrative literature review was carried out in the databases. Observational and interventional studies that assessed the lingual frenulum in children with sleep-disordered breathing were included. As exclusion criteria: studies in animals, in vitro, letters to the editor, expert opinions, other reviews. The selected articles were analyzed regarding the study design, sample, characterization of the lingual frenulum and sleep assessment, in addition to the main results and conclusions. Results Ninety-seven articles were identified, but only 4 met the inclusion criteria. Two retrospective studies concluded that the untreated shortened lingual frenulum at birth is associated with obstructive sleep apnea. A prospective study concluded that there was an improvement in speech and deglutition after lingual frenectomy, in addition to improved sleep. A retrospective cohort concluded that lingual frenuloplasty combined with myofunctional therapy is effective in the treatment of snoring and mouth breathing. Conclusion The studies included in this review contribute to corroborate the association between ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea.

### 摘要
#### 研究目的
探讨舌系带过短（ankyloglossia）与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停（obstructive sleep apnea）之间关联的相关证据。
#### 研究方法
本研究采用整合性文献回顾法，于相关数据库中开展文献检索。纳入针对睡眠呼吸障碍（sleep-disordered breathing）儿童的舌系带（lingual frenulum）状况进行评估的观察性研究与干预性研究。排除标准如下：动物实验、体外实验、读者来信、专家意见及其他综述类文献。对纳入的文献，从研究设计、研究样本、舌系带特征与睡眠评估方案，以及核心研究结果与结论等维度进行系统分析。
#### 研究结果
本研究共检索到97篇文献，但仅4篇符合纳入标准。其中2项回顾性研究证实，出生时未接受干预的舌系带过短与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停存在显著关联。1项前瞻性研究显示，患儿接受舌系带切除术（lingual frenectomy）后，言语与吞咽功能得到改善，睡眠质量亦同步提升。1项回顾性队列研究表明，舌系带成形术（lingual frenuloplasty）联合肌功能治疗，可有效改善打鼾与口呼吸症状。
#### 研究结论
本综述纳入的各项研究均佐证了舌系带过短与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停之间的关联。