Factors influencing likelihood of inpatient frenotomy in newborns with ankyloglossia.

This study investigates national trends in inpatient frenotomy for newborns with ankyloglossia, focusing on the association between demographic, socioeconomic, and regional factors and the likelihood of undergoing the procedure.Data from the 2016 Kid Inpatient Database (KID) were analyzed to identify hospitalized newborns diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Frenotomy procedures were identified using ICD-10 procedure codes. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate unadjusted associations between categorical variables and frenotomy utilization. Variables significant in univariate analysis were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).Among 47,663 newborns with ankyloglossia, 34.8% underwent inpatient frenotomy. Factors independently associated with frenotomy included sex, race, hospital region, and household income. Female newborns had higher odds of frenotomy (OR 1.54, 95 % CI 1.47-1.61), whereas non-White racial groups had lower odds than White newborns. The Midwest had the highest likelihood of frenotomy (OR 3.08, 95 % CI 2.93-3.23), and newborns from the highest income quartile had reduced odds (OR 0.86, 95 % CI 0.80-0.92).Significant disparities in inpatient frenotomy utilization exist based on demographic, socioeconomic, and regional factors. These findings underscore the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and equitable access to both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Future research should address the impact of these disparities on patient outcomes and explore targeted interventions to reduce variability in care.

Duke Scholars

Author Jonathan Carnino