title: Examining the contribution of infant walkers to childhood poisoning.
abstract: Parents frequently utilize baby walkers in their infants of approximately 5-15 mo of age and create opportunities for traumatic accidents. Healthcare professionals have tried to increase awareness of their dangers; despite this, between 1986 and 1991 reported walker-related accidents rose 45%. We determined if walkers were a significant contributor to childhood poisonings and what toxins were encountered most commonly. A 14-mo prospective study in a regional poison information center determined the prevalence of accidental pediatric poisonings in children aged 5-15 mo old who suffered their exposure while in a baby walker. The regional poison information center managed 7.058 poisoning exposures, 2.8% of which occurred while the child was in an infant walker. The mean age was 8.25 mo (range 5-14 mo), with 96% less than 12 mo. Substances involved were: plants 56.7%, cleaning products 9.9%, cosmetics 5.5%, construction supplies 5.0%, cigarettes 4.5%, topicals 4.5%, oral medications 2.0%, chalk 2.0% and miscellaneous 9.9%. The majority (95%) of children were asymptomatic. Infant walkers contributed substantially less to infant poisonings than was anticipated. Despite the innocuous nature of exposures, a vulnerable population was exposed to potential poisons within reach of their grasp. Baby walker injuries are not limited to trauma, and accidental poisonings should be included in the admonitions that accompany their use.
authors.affiliation: Pittsburgh Poison Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Mroz
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Krenzelok
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors