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. 2002 Aug 5;177(3):147-8.
doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04701.x.

Injury caused by baby walkers: the predicted outcomes of mandatory regulations

Peter G Thompson  1
Affiliations

Injury caused by baby walkers: the predicted outcomes of mandatory regulations

Peter G Thompson. Med J Aust. .

Abstract

Objective: To examine the potential of the New South Wales baby-walker regulation to reduce injury.

Design: Injury surveillance data were used to reconstruct baby-walker injury incidents, which were examined in conjunction with the 2000 NSW baby-walker regulation, which requires a specified level of stability and a gripping mechanism to stop the walker at the edge of a step.

Setting and participants: Injury surveillance data on injuries to 381 babies collected from hospital emergency departments in South Australia and Victoria, 1986-2000.

Main outcome measure: Injury events that would still have occurred with the regulation in place.

Results: About half (46%; 95% CI, 32.5%-59.8%) of the serious baby-walker injuries (ie, requiring admission to hospital) are caused by the walker enabling babies to reach hazards other than steps and stairs.

Conclusion: The New South Wales regulation has the potential to eliminate only about half the baby-walker injuries. Banning baby walkers altogether is preferable.

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Comment in

  • Injury caused by baby walkers.
    Martin HC. Martin HC. Med J Aust. 2003 Jan 20;178(2):91; author reply 92. Med J Aust. 2003. PMID: 12526731 No abstract available.
  • Injury caused by baby walkers.
    Hockey RL, Pitt R. Hockey RL, et al. Med J Aust. 2003 Jan 20;178(2):91; author reply 92. Med J Aust. 2003. PMID: 12784808 No abstract available.
  • Injury caused by baby walkers.
    Beard DD. Beard DD. Med J Aust. 2003 Jan 20;178(2):91-2; author reply 92. Med J Aust. 2003. PMID: 12784809 No abstract available.

MeSH terms