Pica
Source: National Institute on Mental Health
Definition
Pica is a pattern of eating non-nutritive substances
(such as dirt or paper), lasting for at least one month.
Causes, incidence,
and risk factors
Pica is seen more in young
children than adults, with 10-32% of children aged
1 to 6 exhibiting these behaviors.
Pica can occur during pregnancy.
In some cases, specific nutritional deficiencies,
such as iron deficiency anemia and
zinc deficiency, may trigger the unusual cravings.
Pica may also occur in adults who crave a certain
texture in their mouth.
Symptoms
Pica is the eating of non-food
substances. Clay, dirt, ice, sand, animal feces,
paint, and hairballs are just a few examples of
what children and adults with pica have been known
to eat.
Signs and tests
There is no single test that
confirms pica, but because pica is associated with
abnormal nutritient levels and in some cases malnutrition,
blood levels of iron and zinc should be tested.
Hemoglobin can
also be checked to test for anemia. Lead levels should always be checked in children
who may have eaten paint or objects covered in
lead-paint dust. The presence of infection may
be detected if contaminated soil or animal waste
is being ingested.
Treatment
First, any nutritional deficiencies
and other medical problems, such as lead toxicity,
should be addressed.
Treatment emphasizes psychosocial,
environmental, and family guidance approaches.
Other successful treatments include mild aversion
therapy (associating the pica behavior with bad
consequences or punishment) followed by positive
reinforcement for appropriate eating.
Medications may help reduce
the abnormal eating behavior, if pica occurs in
the course of a developmental disorder such as
mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder.
Expectations (prognosis)
Treatment success varies.
In many cases, the disorder lasts several months,
then resolves spontaneously. In some cases, it
may continue into adolescence or adulthood, particularly
when associated with developmental disorders.
Complications
- malnutrition
- lead toxicity
- infection
- bezoar (a hardened mass
of the substance in the stomach)
- intestinal
obstruction
Calling your health
care provider
Call your health care provider
if you notice that a child (or adult) has a persistent
tendency to eat non-nutritive substances.
Prevention
There is no specific prevention.
Adequate nutrition may be helpful. |
