Head injury and the use of baby walkers: a continuing problem.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of baby walker use as a contributing factor in head injuries in children less than 2 years old.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical review.


METHODS
Urban Level I trauma center and multispecialty clinic.


METHODS
All children less than 2 years old who were evaluated for a head injury during a three-year period.


RESULTS
129 patients' cases were reviewed. Walker-related injuries occurred in 19 of 129 patients (14.7%). This represents the third most common mechanism of injury in this age group. Mean patient age at the time of injury was 8.7 months. Of the 19 accidents involving walkers, 18 (94.7%) involved falling down stairs. Nine children (47.4% of all walker-related injuries) suffered fractures of the cranial vault. No patients required surgical intervention, although one required treatment for post-traumatic meningitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Baby walkers continue to be a frequent cause of head injury in this age group, and further efforts must be made to deal with these preventable injuries.
Partington
M D
MD
Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
Swanson
J A
JA
Meyer
F B
FB
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014193:Trauma Centers