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Pediatricians are calling for a total ban on baby walkers after a new study has shown that they still constitute a source of serious injury to infants.
According to the study, published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics, about 230,676 US infants went to the emergency room for wounds related to baby walkers between 1990 and 2014.
Walkers are generally used by infants in the age range of 5 to 15 months, the study authors wrote. Because the devices have wheels, they give increased mobility to babies who are still learning to walk, exposing them to potentially dangerous situations. According to the study, most wounded-related injuries occur when a child falls down the stairs. But walkers can also allow babies to reach sharp objects, household poisons or burning surfaces, such as a hot oven door.
Using data from the National Injury Injury Surveillance System, which collects information from about 100 US hospitals, the study authors concluded that walkers "remain a significant and preventable source of injury. young children ".
"I consider baby walkers as inherently dangerous objects that have no benefit and should not be sold in the United States," Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, Chair of the Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told NPR (PAA). .
According to the study, the number of gait-related injuries decreased by 84.5% between 1990 and 2014. This is probably due to the decrease in the overall use of walkers, to the use growing number of wheelless fixed activity centers and a federal safety standard for walkers adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2010. This standard states that walkers have certain safety features such as brakes to prevent falls staircase, reported NPR.
But the study shows that injuries still occur. This evidence argues that the PAA has been renewed for a device ban, the authors wrote. The organization has recommended such a ban for years. Canada has already adopted one in 2004, notes the AAP.
Read more: A mother says her newborn has become blue and has lathered to her mouth after sitting in a car seat – here's what parents need to know
In addition, walkers have no advantage. Although many parents think that a walker will help their baby learn to walk, the AAP says that they can actually delay the moment a child starts walking alone.
When it comes to walkers, AAP's advice to parents is simple: kill them. The organization says that babies will be safer in alternatives such as a high chair, a park or a fixed activity center.
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