A short lingual frenulum has been associated with difficulties in sucking, swallowing and speech. The oral dysfunction induced by a short lingual frenulum can lead to oral-facial dysmorphosis, which decreases the size of upper airway support. Such progressive change increases the risk of upper airway collapsibility during sleep.Clinical investigation of the oral cavity was conducted as a part of a clinical evaluation of children suspected of having sleep disordered breathing (SDB) based on complaints, symptoms and signs. Systematic polysomnographic evaluation followed the clinical examination. A retrospective analysis of 150 successively seen children suspected of having SDB was performed, in addition to a comparison of the findings between children with and without short lingual frenula.Among the children, two groups of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) were found: 1) absence of adenotonsils enlargement and short frenula (n=63); and 2) normal frenula and enlarged adenotonsils (n=87). Children in the first group had significantly more abnormal oral anatomy findings, and a positive family of short frenulum and SDB was documented in at least one direct family member in 60 cases.A short lingual frenulum left untreated at birth is associated with OSAS at later age, and a systematic screening for the syndrome should be conducted when this anatomical abnormality is recognised.

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is estimated to occur in 26% of adults and 2% to 7% of children. OSA is characterized by a partial or complete cessation of airflow in the upper airway. Classically, the main risk factors include obesity, age, and gender, although those outside the ''overweight, middle-aged man'' phenotype can certainly be at risk for The goal of this article was to summarize key aspects of patient presentation, potential comorbidities, and therapeutic options for multidisciplinary clinicians who play an integral role in the management of this syndrome from childhood to old-age.

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