Baby walkers: a perspective from Turkey.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Consumer Product Safety

Background:

• Baby walkers (BWs) are common in urban Turkey.
• Maternal beliefs and cultural factors influence BW usage.
• Limited awareness exists regarding the benefits and hazards of BWs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of baby walker (BW) use in urban Turkey.
• To investigate maternal attitudes and beliefs concerning BWs.
• To assess the incidence of BW-related injuries and pediatrician counseling rates.

Main Methods:

• A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to mothers of children aged 2 months to 5 years.
• The study included 495 children attending well-child care clinics in Ankara, Turkey.
• Data collected included BW usage, maternal education, and injury history.

Main Results:

• Baby walker (BW) use was prevalent, with 75.4% of children utilizing them.
• Female gender and lower maternal education were associated with increased BW use.
• BW-related injuries were infrequent (7.8%), and only 18.6% of families received adequate pediatrician counseling.

Conclusions:

• Baby walker (BW) use is widespread in urban Turkey, often driven by cultural beliefs rather than evidence-based information.
• Families are largely uninformed about the potential risks and lack of benefits associated with BWs.
• Pediatricians need to counsel families on the hazards of BW use, particularly in Turkey and potentially globally.