For Release: August 4, 1997, 5 PM (ET)
Below is a highlight of a study appearing on the August PEDIATRICS electronic pages, the Internet extension of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of this study, please contact the AAP Division of Public Relations at 847-981-7877 and ask for CE1-97. The complete study is also available on PEDIATRICS electronic pages at http://www.pediatrics.org.
INJURIES FROM INFANT WALKERS CONTINUE DESPITE SUPERVISION AND WARNINGS
CHICAGO--Even though parents may be aware of the dangers associated with baby walkers, infants continue to sustain baby walker-related injuries even under supervision. This is according to a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics on PEDIATRICS electronic pages. Researchers from The Ohio State University College of Medicine at Childrens Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, evaluated medical records of 271 children who were treated for infant walker-related injuries from March 1993 through February 1996. In 78 percent of these cases, the infant was being supervised. The researchers discovered that 96 percent of the injuries resulted from a fall down stairs. The most common injuries to the infants were contusions or abrasions (59 percent) followed by concussions or head injuries (13 percent), lacerations (12 percent) and skull fractures (10 percent), among others. The risk for a skull fracture increased threefold if the infant fell down more than 10 stairs. Of 157 parents surveyed after the injury, 29 percent of parents used the walker again with the previously injured child and 3 percent used the walker again with another child. The authors conclude that serious injuries to children using infant walkers continue despite currently used prevention strategies such as adult supervision, warning labels, care giver education programs and stairway gates. They recommend standards requiring redesign of walkers be established so walkers cant fit through doorways. The studys authors recommend a ban on the manufacture and sale of walkers that do not meet these standards.
[For an interview with Gary Smith, M.D., Dr.P.H., on this study, contact the Childrens Hospital public relations department at 614/722-4595.]
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EDITORS NOTE: This study appeared on the peer-reviewed, scientific electronic pages of the American Academy of Pediatrics, but does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the Academy. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 53,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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