|
Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (1998 version) |
| Appearance Items |
|
|
| Appearance of tongue when lifted |
| 2: Round OR square |
| 1: Slight cleft in tip apparent |
| 0: Heart-shaped |
| Elasticity of frenulum |
| 2: Very elastic (excellent) |
| 1: Moderately elastic |
| 0: Little OR no elasticity |
| Length of lingual frenulum when tongue lifted |
| 2: More than 1 cm OR embedded in tongue |
| 1: 1 cm |
| 0: Less than 1 cm |
| Attachment of lingual frenulum to tongue: |
| 2: Posterior to tip |
| 1: At tip |
| 0: Notched tip |
| Attachment of lingual frenulum to inferior alveolar ridge |
| 2: Attached to floor of mouth OR well below ridge |
| 1: Attached just below ridge |
| 0: Attached at ridge |
|
|
| Function Items |
|
|
| Lateralization |
| 2: Complete |
| 1: Body of tongue but not tongue tip |
| 0: None |
| Lift of tongue |
| 2: Tip to mid-mouth |
| 1: Only edges to mid-mouth |
| 0: Tip stays at alveolar ridge or rises to mid-mouth only with jaw closure |
| Extension of tongue: |
| 2: Tip over lower lip |
| 1: Tip over lower gum only |
| 0: Neither of above, OR anterior or mid-tongue humps |
| Spread of anterior tongue |
| 2: Complete |
| 1: Moderate OR partial |
| 0: Little OR none |
| Cupping |
| 2: Entire edge, firm cup |
| 1: Side edges only, moderate cup |
| 0: Poor OR no cup |
| Peristalsis: |
| 2: Complete, anterior to posterior (originates at the tip) |
| 1: Partial: originating posterior to tip |
| 0: None OR reverse peristalsis |
| Snapback |
| 2: None |
| 1: Periodic |
| 0: Frequent OR with each suck |
|
© Alison K. Hazelbaker, MA, IBCLC July 1 1998 14 = Perfect score (regardless of Appearance Item score) 11 = Acceptable if Appearance Item score is 10 <11 = Function impaired. Frenotomy should be considered if management fails. Frenotomy necessary if Appearance Item score is <8. |
Amir et al. International Breastfeeding Journal 2006 1:3 doi:10.1186/1746-4358-1-3 |