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Posted On : 26 Oct 2025

Some newborns protrude their tongue very often. What does it indicate?

Expert Answer :

Answer Discussion :

S

Shezana Kosar

0

normal milestone
hunger cues
low muscle tone if persistent should rule out hypothyroidism,down syndrome

3 Days ago

P

Patricia Areri

0

Down syndrome

4 Days ago

G

Gladys Yonah

0

normal milestones

4 Days ago

H

Hasna 1234

0

Down syndrome
Hypothyroidism

5 Days ago

D

Dfsa Ata

0

may be Hypothyroidism
may be as physiological reflex

5 Days ago

Answer 1

If it is just a simple and transient protrusion, it is usually normal and just needs reassurance. It could be due to an exaggerated suck reflex, which would most likely subside spontaneously.
If the protrusion is persistent, it would be wise to check for other signs of hypothyroidism, like abnormal facies, generalized hypoactivity, jaundice, infrequent stooling, etc. A blood sugar test can be done, especially if it is a macrosomic (large) baby. If the protrusion is due to a large tongue {macroglossia}, it could be a sign of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Such babies are usually large and have some dysmorphic features with hypoglycemia. It is also necessary to do a thorough intraoral examination, especially in the sublingual region to check for any masses which could be hidden.

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