Related Experiment Videos
Infant walker use, injuries, and motor development
1Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Insights
Infant walker use is linked to a higher risk of injuries and potential delays in motor development. Healthcare providers can use these findings to counsel parents on the associated hazards.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Child Safety
Background:
- Infant walkers are commonly used by caregivers.
- Concerns exist regarding the safety and developmental impact of infant walkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between infant walker usage and the incidence of injuries.
- To assess the effect of infant walker use on infant motor development.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted with 185 infants aged 7-10 months and their caregivers at a Singaporean polyclinic.
- Caregivers completed questionnaires on walker use and injuries.
- Infants underwent the Singapore modified Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST-S) and clinical examination, with testers blinded to walker status.
Main Results:
- 90% of infants regularly used walkers.
- 12.5% of walker users sustained one or more injuries, primarily minor bruises and swellings.
- 10.8% of walker users showed abnormal or questionable results on the DDST-S, compared to none of the non-walker users.
Conclusions:
- Infant walker use is associated with a significant rate of injuries.
- Walker use may negatively impact infant motor development.
- Findings support the need for healthcare professionals to educate parents on the risks of infant walkers.
Objectives:
To study the impact of infant walker use on motor development and injuries.
Population:
One hundred and eighty five parents or primary care givers who attended a Singapore government polyclinic from September 1993 to February 1994, with their infants between 7 to 10 months, for a developmental assessment session.
Setting:
A government polyclinic in Singapore.
Methods:
The parent or primary care giver answered questions pertaining to infant walker use and injuries attributed to its use. Each infant was then given the Singapore modified version of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST-S), along with a full clinical examination; both testers were blinded to walker use.
Results:
One hundred and sixty seven (90%) of 185 infants used walkers regularly, and 21 (12.5%) of the users had one or more injuries. Most injuries were minor, such as bruises and swellings on the head, forehead, face, and cheeks. None of the children who did not use walkers showed any abnormal DDST-S results whereas 18 (10.8%) of the 167 walker users had either abnormal or questionable DDST-S results.
Conclusions:
12.5% of walker users had one or more injuries and walker use may also delay the child's motor development. These findings will help the physician or nurse in primary care settings to advise parents about the potential hazards of walker use.