Arch Argent Pediatr. 2013 Dec;111(6). pii: S0325-00752013000600012.

Pediatricians' attitude about the use of infant walkers.

[Article in English, Spanish]

Kara S, Yilmaz AE, Gümüs Dogan D, Akca H, Catal F.

Abstract

Infant walkers are still very popular even though their use might cause injuries. A survey was carried out to obtain information about attitudes and pediatricians' approach regarding the use of infant walkers. Two hundred and forty seven pediatricians who attended the 44th Turkish Congress of Pediatrics and Europediatrics (2008) were invited to reply to a questionnaire prepared by the authors. Two hundred and twenty six questionnaires replied in full were included. The median age of participants (119 women) was 39 years old (range: 29-58 years old). Out of the total, 4% recommended the use of a walker; 32.2% left the decision to parents' judgment, and 63.7% did not recommend its use. A hundred and five had previously treated an infant who had an injury associated to the use of the walker; out of them, 73.3% did not recommend its use and 57.1% stated that there should be a ban on the sale and manufacture of walkers. 

Conclusions. Out of the total number of surveyed pediatricians, 4% recommend the use of infant walkers and over 30% leave this decision to parents. Those pediatricians who took care of babies who had an injury associated to the use of a walker were less prone to recommending it.