The effect of baby walker on child development: a systematic review
Iranian Journal of Child Neurology,
Vol. 11 No. 4 (2017),
13 September 2017
,
Page 1-6
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijcn.v11i4.15509
Abstract
Abstract:
Baby walkers are used all around the world as a fun equipment without any dangers. In contrast with public beliefs, some researchers have claimed they can cause developmental delay. We aimed to investigate their effect on child development through a systematic review. We searched Pubmed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus for related articles in English and included all study designs. Of 315 articles found in Pubmed, 1630 citations in Google Scholar, 18 articles in Embase, and 38 papers in Scopus, only 9 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Among them, only a cohort and a cross-sectional study reported developmental delay caused by baby walker use. Based on the current data, evidence against baby walker is not enough regarding its negative effect on child development. This subject needs to be addressed more, considering the large number of baby walker users worldwide.
- Baby walker
- Infant walker
- Development
How to Cite
References
Fazen LE, Felizberto PI. Baby walker injuries. Pediatrics. 1982;70(1):106-9.
Bar-on ME, Boyle RM, Endriss EK. Parental decisions to use infant walkers. Injury Prevention. 1998;4(4):299-300.
Kendrick D, Marsh P. Babywalkers: prevalence of use and relationship with other safety practices. Injury Prevention. 1998;4(4):295-8.
Chagas PS, Mancini MC, Tirado MG, Megale L, Sampaio RF. Beliefs about the use of baby walkers. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2011;15(4):303-9.
Pediatrics AAo. Injuries associated with infant walkers. Pediatrics. 2001;108(3):790-2.
Hapgood R, Woods A, Dyas J, Bentley E, Kendrick D. Baby walker safety-baby's minder or parent's problem? A qualitative analysis of clients' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding baby walker use. Health Education Journal. 2003;62(4):350-8.
Siegel AC, Burton RV. Effects of baby walkers on motor and mental development in human infants. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 1999;20(5):355-60.
Bertenthal BI, Campos JJ. New directions in the study of early experience. Child development. 1987:560-7.
Lasky RE. The effect of visual feedback of the hand on the reaching and retrieval behavior of young infants. Child Development. 1977:112-7.
Burrows P, Griffiths P. Do baby walkers delay onset of walking in young children? British journal of community nursing. 2002;7(11):581-6.
KAUFFMAN IB, RIDENOUR M. Influence of an infant walker on onset and quality of walking pattern of locomotion: an electromyographic investigation. Perceptual and motor skills. 1977;45(3f):1323-9.
Ridenour MV. Infant walkers: developmental tool or inherent danger. Perceptual and motor skills. 1982;55(3f):1201-2.
Crouchman M. The effects of babywalkers on early locomotor development. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 1986;28(6):757-61.
Thein M, Lee J, Tay V, Ling S. Infant walker use, injuries, and motor development. Injury Prevention. 1997;3(1):63-6.
Garrett M, McElroy A, Staines A. Locomotor milestones and babywalkers: cross sectional study. Bmj. 2002;324(7352):1494.
Engelbert RH, Van Empelen R, Scheurer ND, Helders PJ, Van Nieuwenhuizen O. Influence of infant-walkers on motor development: mimicking spastic diplegia? European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. 1999;3(6):273-5.
Rhodes K, Kendrick D, Collier J. Baby walkers: paediatricians’ knowledge, attitudes, and health promotion. Archives of disease in childhood. 2003;88(12):1084-5.
DiLillo D, Damashek A, Peterson L. Maternal use of baby walkers with young children: recent trends and possible alternatives. Injury Prevention. 2001;7(3):223-7.
- Abstract Viewed: 2470 times