Baby's first steps influenced by genetics

Genome-wide association meta-analysis of age at onset of walking in over 70,000 infants of European ancestry

Age at onset of walking is an important early childhood milestone which is used clinically and in public health screening. In this genome-wide association study meta-analysis of age at onset of walking (N = 70,560 European-ancestry infants), we identified 11 independent genome-wide significant loci. SNP-based heritability was 24.13% (95% confidence intervals = 21.86–26.40) with ~11,900 variants accounting for about 90% of it, suggesting high pol…

How Genes Influence the Timing of a Baby's First Step

The science behind motor milestones and learning to walk.

Baby's first steps influenced by genetics

The age at which babies take their first steps is strongly influenced by their genes, according to new research from the University of Surrey.

Scientists discover why some babies learn to walk later than others

A new study suggests that a slightly later start to walking is not always a sign of problems

Genes Influence When Babies Start Walking, Study Finds

Researchers examined over 70,000 infants’ genomic information in the first research of its kind. Eleven genetic markers were found to influence when babies begin to walk, providing a number of possibilities for more in-depth biological research.

Genes Strongly Influence When Babies Take Their First Steps

New research reveals that genetics play a major role in determining when babies begin walking, accounting for about 25% of the variation in this milestone. In a study analyzing data from over 70,000 infants, scientists identified 11 genetic markers linked to the timing of first steps.