II. Background

  1. AAP recommends ban on walker manufacture and sale

III. Description

  1. Used to allow pre-ambulatory children to "walk"
  2. Rigid frame on wheels with attached soft seat

IV. Risks: Serious Injury

  1. U.S. Emergency Room visit data
    1. Walker-related injuries in 1999 alone: 8800
    2. Most walker injuries involve stairs
  2. Types of injuries
    1. Deaths (34 from 1973 to 1998)
    2. Fractures
    3. Closed head injuries

V. Benefits

  1. None
  2. Walkers do not promote early ambulation
    1. Children using Walkers have delayed ambulation
    2. Delayed sitting, crawling, and walking

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