Pica

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some people have craving for some non-nutritive things like clay, dirt, chalk etc. it is not only the case in children but this occurs in adults also. People see this as a psychological problem but this is not always the case.

Actually, the scientific reason behind this situation is an iron deficiency and in many cases zinc deficiency.

Definition

It is seen as a craving for something that is non-nutritive for ex. Dirt, clay, paper or chalk, in any individual or children. This is also observed as a neurobiological disorder like autism or Tourette in case. This is also observed in the pregnant lady.

Symptoms
People with pica, generally crave for these items-

• Ice

• Soap

• Buttons

• Dirt

• Hair

• Sand

• Paint

• Chalk

2.Loss of appetite

Causes-

A general cause of Pica is not known. There are many cases where pica is observed in case of anemia where there are iron and zinc deficiency. In pregnant lady, pica is observed due to anaemic condition.

In neurobiological condition such as Tourette and autism.

In psychological disorder such as Schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Some people simply like the taste of such non-nutritive material, and this may not be any kind of disorder.

Complications-
When one consumes such non-nutritive material, in general, they are harmless but sometimes some serious condition can arise such as-

• Lead poisoning- This may lead to mental illness and disability to learn for children.

• Parasitic infection

• Intestinal blockage- This cause constipation as some objects cannot be digested.

Case study
In a 3-year-old child, it was observed that the child experienced loss of appetite and difficulty in stool passage and the pale and thick stool was observed in the child.

An abdominal x-ray revealed, that there was some opaque particle in colon stuck in many places.

Mother of the child told the doctor the child ate lots of soil and the case was of Pica.

On further investigation, of full blood count, microcytic anaemia was found, with low haemoglobin of 76mg/l and the lead concentration was increased in serum due to excess eating of soil.

Treatment

There is a risk of medical complication of lead, therefore, regular monitoring is required when treatment of eating behavior is done.

In the case of a complicated situation, a close eye on mental health must be there in order to avoid any serious conditions.