While most individuals consume nonfood items or foods with little to no nutritional value at some point in their lives, most of the time these incidents don’t constitute a diagnosable eating disorder. Pica is found in children with intellectual disabilities and autism more than in children without these conditions. Pica is not diagnosed in children under the age of two for this reason. Other substances frequently consumed pose risks as well such as lead poisoning from paint, mercury poisoning from paper, burns from batteries, arsenic, fluoride and many others.Ĭhildren under the age of two are known to put objects into their mouths in order to explore their environments, which is not indicative of pica.In some cases, pica can lead to high blood sugar and even obesity. Consuming large amounts of starch can also lead to iron deficiencies.Eating large amounts of ice can lead to dental problems and iron deficiencies.Consuming dirt can also lead to infections or parasites. Clay or dirt consumption can lead to constipation, toxicity and nutritional deficiencies.The following are complications related to various substances consumed: 4 Poisoning or infections are possible along with intestinal blockages and tears of the esophagus depending upon what items are ingested. Individuals can experience significant medical impairment as a result of consuming the nonfood items. Cultural factors (some groups in the US and Africa are known to eat clay).Children may also turn to pica as a source of comfort in traumatic, neglectful or stressful situations. Lack of supervision in some families can lead to children consuming nonfood items. The individual suffering from pica is more driven by compulsions, such as in OCD. Pica is different from other eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in that it is not related to a disturbance of body image or a desire to become thin. While this practice can still lead to medical complications, it is not considered to be an eating disorder under those circumstances 3 Ingestion of dirt or clay may be considered culturally acceptable in some areas. It is unclear, though, whether the lack of nutrients led to the consumption of clay, for instance, or whether eating nonfood items caused nutritional deficits. One potential reason that individuals consume nonfood items is that they suffer from a nutritional deficiency such as a low level of iron, zinc, or calcium. 3 There are both psychosocial and biochemical causes. There are many hypotheses regarding the causes of pica, but no firm data supports these theories. The unborn baby and mother can be endangered, depending upon the items eaten. Pregnant women tend to chew on ice a great deal during pregnancy, but they can also consume much of the same items that children eat during episodes of pica. This is not the same as children who suck on their hair as a self-soothing technique or chew on pencils out of boredom in the classroom. This can result in nutritional deficits from lack of actual food, medical issues from intestinal blockages, or even more severe complications, depending upon the items ingested. Young children ingest all kinds of nonfood items like paper, dirt, glue, erasers, cloth, chalk, and hair. 4Among those with intellectual disabilities, it is most common between the ages of 10-20 years. 3It is also seen in other populations, such as those with intellectual disabilities, autism, OCD, trichotillomania (hair pulling), and schizophrenia. 2 Although pica occurs equally in female and male children, it is rare to see pica in adolescent and adult males. Pica is most common among pregnant women and young children. Pagophagia (ice): ranging from cups to pounds a dayĬommon nonfood items eaten by those with pica include but are not limited to:.Amylophagy (raw starch): raw potatoes, rice, flour, corn starch, baby powder.There are several categories of items consumed. In all those suffering with pica, the consumption of non-food items is present.
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