![]() It is not unusual to notice that younger children are frequently eating nonnutritive substances.Ĭopyright © 2023, StatPearls Publishing LLC. It is important to understand that in order to diagnose pica, the individual must be at least 2 years of age. Pica usually occurs as an isolated disorder but there are instances when it may co-exist with schizophrenia, OCD, and trichotillomania. In some parts of the world, the consumption of non-nutritive substances is culturally accepted. In women, it is most often seen during pregnancy. The nature of ingested items is variable, including but not limited to earth (geophagy), raw starches (amylophagy), ice (pagophagia), charcoal, ash, paper, chalk, cloth, baby powder, coffee grounds, and eggshells.Īlthough pica is seen in children, it is also a common eating disorder in patients who are intellectually impaired. For diagnosis, the behavior must persist for at least one month, not be in keeping with the child's developmental stage (and age cut off of 24 months or more is suggested by DSM V), and not be socially normative or culturally acceptable behavior. The term is derived from "pica-pica," the Latin word for the magpie bird, because of the bird's indiscriminate gathering and eating a variety of objects for the sake of curiosity. Trellis Recovery Centers offers a transdiagnostic approach in our treatment that sets the stage for teenagers to learn about their eating disorders and overcome. It is important keep children from eating soils contaminated with chemicals such as lead and arsenic.The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines pica as eating nonnutritive, nonfood substances over a period of at least one month. Eating soils contaminated with arsenic may cause short-term and long-term arsenic-related illnesses, including cancer. For example, eating soils contaminated with lead can lead to lead poisoning. ![]() Consuming non-food items leaves less opportunity to eat nutritious foods, which may lead to overall malnutrition.Įating contaminated soils may cause long-term health problems. Areas covered: We searched the literature using the keywords listed below. It is often associated with iron deficiency but its pathophysiology is unknown. There is no conclusive evidence to explain the condition.Įating non-nutritive substances can be harmful to a person's health because it may cause iron deficiency, serious bowel problems, abdominal pain and parasitic infection. Pica is the compulsive eating of non-nutritive substances. Other research suggest that pica is a response to stress. Some researchers theorize that pica is caused by a mineral or other dietary deficiency that triggers the cravings. The behavior persists over at least one month and is severe enough to warrant clinical attention. Eating clay is also a documented practice in parts of the United States. Pica is an eating disorder in which a person repeatedly eats things that are not food with no nutritional value. In Uganda, for example, soils are made available for purchase for the purpose of eating. Pica occurs throughout the world and is considered an acceptable practice in certain cultures. ![]() Pica is the most common eating disorder among individuals with mental retardation. Ask about pica behavior or unusual cravings in certain high-risk groups: pregnant women, immigrants or refugees, and children. ![]() People with trichotillomania feel compelled to pull out their hair. Pica also occurs among people with certain illnesses such as epilepsy, as well as in persons with mental retardation, autism, or mental illness. There are two particular psychiatric disorders that people who eat their hair are likely to have: trichotillomania and pica. Pregnant and postpartum women are known to get pica. Toddlers over the age of two who eat non-food substances on a consistent basis may be considered to have pica. Some little children just put everything into their mouths as a mode of exploration. While infants and toddlers often eat dirt and other non-food items, this is not considered to be pica because the behavior is not associated with cravings. Pica can be episodic, meaning that periods of non-food cravings occur only occasionally. Many young children have pica at some point during their childhood. People with pica crave and eat materials such as dirt, clay, chalk, lead chips, laundry starch, dishwashing soap, chalk, burnt matches, and many other non-food substances. ![]() Feeding and eating disorders are characterized by. Pica is a medical condition typically defined as the persistent eating of non-food items for a period of at least one month. Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Binge eating disorder Pica Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. ![]()
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