Use of infant walkers

Article Abstract:

In 1971, standards were developed under the Federal Hazardous Substance Act to regulate the construction of infant walkers and jumpers to prevent crushing of fingers and toes. In 1974, a study showed that 3,700 children, most of whom were less than two years of age, were seen at 176 emergency departments for injuries associated with the use of infant walkers. A 1980 study revealed that among 24,000 walker-related injuries seen at 8,600 emergency departments, 54 percent involved injuries associated with falling down stairs. The prevalence of infant walker-related injuries is summarized. Infant walkers are used by 70 to 80 percent of infants aged 5 to 12 months, and by twice as many male as female infants. Thirty to 40 percent of infants who are placed in walkers will have an accident, most often associated with falling down stairs, tipping over, getting fingers caught, or pulling objects onto the infants. However, most infant walker-related accidents are minor and do not require medical attention. The most serious walker injuries result from falling down stairs, with more than 90 percent of stair-related infant injuries involving the use of walkers. The types of injuries associated with infant walkers include closed head injuries, fractures, burns, tooth injuries, and cuts. Use of the walker is discontinued immediately following serious injury in only one-third of infants. Most injuries occur at home with at least one parent present, and half of stair injuries occur despite a stairwell gate. The incidence of injury increases with increasing time spent in the walker and is similar for different types of walkers. Walkers may be used to keep an infant occupied, or for the intention of promoting walking. However, walkers have not been shown to help infants learn to walk sooner. Pediatricians should inform parents of the risks of injury associated with walkers, the lack of proof that walkers increase walking skills, and the need for parental supervision when children are placed in walkers. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Injuries, Wounds and injuries, Infants, Infants' supplies, Baby products, editorial

---

Childhood deaths from toy balloons

Article Abstract:

Children between the ages of six months and five years may aspirate, or inhale, foreign objects that then block the airways, sometimes leading to suffocation. This occurs twice as often in males as in females, and deaths associated with choking are often due to the inhalation of food. However, death may also result from inhalation of common household objects and toys, such as toy rubber balloons. The cases are described of four children who choked on toy rubber balloons and died in Canada between 1983 and 1988. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 121 children died in a similar manner between 1973 and 1988 in the United States. The highest death rate occurred among infants, while 30 of 121 deaths occurred in children aged six years and older. Balloons are responsible for 43 percent of the approximately 15 childhood deaths related to children's products that occur each year, as reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Because toy rubber balloons are the leading cause of death in children due to choking on children's products, it was recommended that this type of balloon be banned. In addition, the development of safer alternatives is encouraged. Public information campaigns may be useful in warning parents, physicians, and policymakers about the dangers of toy rubber balloons. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Toys, Safety education, Balloons, Balloons (Aircraft)

---

Suspended rocking cradles, positional asphyxia, and sudden infant death

Article Abstract:

Suspended rocking cradles may place infants at risk for accidental asphyxia and death. The Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of 15 incidents of injury or death from infant swings. The 10 deaths had been attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers reviewed the cases and found that the infants were face-down in the swing when discovered and, in 14 cases, the swing was not locked. Face-down infants may become wedged in the corner and suffocate when the cradle tilts. Infants should lie on their backs, and the locking pin should be used when the device is not swinging.

Health aspects, Sudden infant death syndrome, Cradles, Cradles (Children's furniture)

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Perinatal outcome of infants exposed to cocaine and/or heroin in utero. Unsuspected cocaine exposure in young children
• Abstracts: Influence of otitis media on the correlation between rectal and auditory canal temperatures. The inaccuracy of axillary temperatures measured with an electronic thermometer
• Abstracts: Urinary chromium excretion and insulinogenic properties of carbohydrates
• Abstracts: Childhood injuries in the United States: morbidity, mortality and cost. Childhood injuries in the United States: a priority issue
• Abstracts: Parental attitudes and knowledge of child safety: a national survey. part 2 Brain injuries among infants, children, adolescents and young adults

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.