Too many children injured by walkers, according to a study

While some parents think that baby walkers are a way to give young children more independence, pediatricians once again warn the public that they pose a security risk.

A new study, published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics, found that from 1990 to 2014, more than 230,000 children aged 15 months and under were treated in emergency departments of US hospitals.

"Walkers provide fast mobility – up to 4 feet per second – to young children before they are ready for development, and children of this age are curious but do not recognize the danger," writes Dr. Gary Smith. Director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Nationwide Children's Hospital, told CBS News. "It's enough for a younger brother to leave the door of the basement staircase open briefly for an injury to happen.A child in a walker would be on the other side of the room and go down the stairs before the parent can answer. "

The majority of injuries in the study, about 91%, involved the head or neck. About 30% of injuries were concussions or fractures of the skull.

Nearly three quarters of the injuries were caused by children walking up and down the stairs. Other common problems include the fall of the baby walker and injuries caused by the walker giving the child access to something that he or she would not normally be able to achieve, for example: Burns to touch a hot appliance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has been pronouncing against the use of baby walkers for decades and has called for a ban on their manufacture, sale, and import into the United States, but they continue to be sold by many large retailers.

Over the years covered by the study, the number of injuries caused by walkers decreased dramatically, from 20,650 in 1990 to 2,001 in 2014. The researchers say this is partly due to federal security requirements in 2010.

However, according to Smith, despite the decrease, "there are still too many serious injuries related to this product".

Smith, a pediatrician in emergency medicine, dealt with injuries related to department of emergency since he was in training in the 1970s. He says that many children have been seriously injured.

He cites a previous study that he conducted on wounded-related injuries in infants treated in the Emergency Department of Nationwide Children's Hospital, which revealed that about one in 10 injuries was a fracture. of the skull.

In addition, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there were eight deaths of children associated with walkers from 2004 to 2008. Three of these deaths occurred when children collapsed in pools or spa baths.

Smith says parents often seem shocked by the speed with which a child in a walker can end up in a dangerous situation.

"I've often heard the words of the parents who brought their child to the ER after an injury to a walker:" Doctor, I was standing right there, but she moved so fast that I did not not had time to stop it. They were good parents, who watched their children closely and used the trotter as expected, "he said. "Their only mistake was to believe the myth that baby walkers are safe."

He recommends parents not to buy a baby walker for their child, and if they have one, they must remove the wheels and throw them away.

"There are safer alternatives that younger kids enjoy," said Smith, "such as stationary activity centers that spin, rock and bounce, but have no wheels that give young children dangerous mobility is placed on the belly on the ground and can learn to get up, then crawl and walk. "