Pica is varcharacterized as the craving or eating of bizarre substances that have no food value. It occurs most often in children between ages 1 and 6, and in pregnant women. This conditions does not apply to infants who put everything in the mouth.
Causes of Pica
The exact cause for this disorder is not clear. It may be due to some instinctive need to replace minerals absent in the diet. This may be especially true of eating clay for iron content. This disorder is seen more commonly in people living in substandard housing, in low income populations and in people with emotional deprivation.
Signs and Symptoms of Pica
The symptoms associated with Pica include eating non-food substances, such as starch, clay, ice, plaster, paint, hair or gravel. Occasionally, there is abdominal pain.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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