Damage associated with the use of baby walkers

Abstract

This article presents an overview of 40 literary sources regarding injuries caused by baby walkers. The data from the first studies on the submitted subjects (1981) to the present were estimated for the first time in Russian scientific literature. Significant variations in the structure and volume of injuries worldwide were shown. This may be caused by the difference in the living quarter structure, cultural features, errors in data collection, accuracy of data sources, and improvement of the devices. However, in our opinion, two factors have the greatest influence: the design and specific technical solution of such devices and the presence of stairs accessible to the child in a residential building. In addition, the possibility of children acquiring thermal trauma in a walker was described, including the ability to reach dangerous items, such as heaters, ashtrays, electrical connections, and hot drinks, including poisons. The danger of walkers as a factor influencing the normal formation of bipedal locomotion and motor pattern was indicated. The authors underline the need to inform the public regarding the dangers of walkers as much as possible or to introduce a complete ban on their use, which was done in Canada in 2004 that led to a decrease in the level of child injuries.