FDA Warns Baby Neck Floats Used in Water Therapy Can Cause Death or Injury

The FDA issued a warning against the use of neck floats during water therapy for babies, and said it recently became aware of companies marketing neck floats for use as a water therapy tool without its clearance or approval.

The agency says the warning is especially relevant for babies with developmental delays or special needs, such as spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy type 1, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy. The use of neck floats in babies with special needs can lead to increased risk of neck strain and injury, the agency said.

The FDA did not identify any specific products and said it has not evaluated the neck floats, but that it is “not aware of any demonstrated benefit with the use of neck floats for water therapy interventions.”