New research suggests that those genes influencing when children take their first steps are partly the same genetic factors that influence brain development. — AMELIE BREITENHUBER/dpa
The age at which babies learn to walk is strongly influenced by their genes, researchers have found, as they urged parents not to worry that they have done "something wrong."
Scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 babies and identified 11 genetic markers that influence when youngsters take their first steps.
The team, from the universities of Surrey and Essex, suggested genetics accounts for about a quarter of the differences in when children begin to walk. The findings were published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
"Most babies take their first step sometime between ages eight months and 24 months, so it is a wide window in which this exciting milestone happens," Professor Angelica Ronald, senior researcher on the study from the University of Surrey, said.
"It is a big moment for both parents and baby; it symbolises a new phase in a child's life," she said.
"While parents should still see their GP if they are concerned, a slightly later start is not always a sign of problems. There is a lot of variety in when children take their first step on their own."
Dr Anna Gui, who worked on the study, added: "Until now, we didn't understand what causes the wide differences between children in when they take their first step."
"Parents might often worry that walking early or late is a bad sign or that they have done something wrong. We see that genetics play a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone."
The study found that those genes influencing when children take their first steps are partly the same genetic factors that influence brain development.
There is also a relationship between later onset of walking and genes that are involved in higher educational attainment.
Walking later, but within the typical range, was further linked genetically with less chance of developing ADHD, the research suggested. – dpa
