Pica resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sanjana Nethagani, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
Pica is defined as the compulsive craving for or eating non-nutritive or non-food substances for at least a period of one month[1]. Pica maybe a part of a cultural phenomenon, during childhood, in persons or children who are mentally disabled or even in pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia is also an important cause of pica. Pica is treated by a multifocal approach which includes reduction of cravings, addressing the social and emotional issues faced by the individual and treating the anemia if present. Pica is further divided based on the type of substance ingested such as ice, lead, feces, soil etc.
Causes
- Pica is commonly seen in children over 2 years of age.
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Pregnancy
- Autism and other developmental disabilities
- Lower socioeconomic status
- Epilepsy
- Recently, obsessive compulsive disorder has also been implicated as a cause [2].
Diagnosis
- The diagnosis of pica includes a detailed history and physical examination, appropriate laboratory investigations.
Obtain a detailed history:<br❑
Management
Do's
Dont's
- ↑ Leung AKC, Hon KL (2019). "Pica: A Common Condition that is Commonly Missed - An Update Review". Curr Pediatr Rev. 15 (3): 164–169. doi:10.2174/1573396315666190313163530. PMID 30868957.
- ↑ Hergüner S, Ozyildirim I, Tanidir C (2008). "Is Pica an eating disorder or an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder?". Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 32 (8): 2010–1. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2008.09.011. PMID 18848964.