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.
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.