Pica is a pattern of eating non-food materials, such as dirt or paper.
"VSports注册入口" Causes
Pica is seen more in young children than adults. Up to one third of children ages 1 to 6 years have these eating behaviors V体育安卓版. It is unclear how many children with pica intentionally consume dirt (geophagy).
Pica can also occur during pregnancy. In some cases, a lack of certain nutrients, such as iron and zinc, may trigger the unusual cravings V体育ios版. Pica may also occur in adults who crave a certain texture in their mouth.
Symptoms (VSports最新版本)
Children and adults with pica may eat:
- Animal feces
- Clay
- Dirt
- Hairballs
- Ice
- Paint
- Sand
This pattern of eating must last for at least 1 month to fit the diagnosis of pica.
Depending on what is being eaten and how much, symptoms of other problems may be present, such as:
- Belly pain, nausea, and bloating caused by blockage in the stomach or intestine
- Fatigue
- Behavior problems, school problems and other findings of lead poisoning or poor nutrition
V体育平台登录 - Exams and Tests
There is no single test for pica. Because pica can occur in people who have certain nutritional deficiencies, your health care provider may test blood levels of iron and zinc VSports注册入口.
Blood tests can also be done to test for anemia V体育官网入口. Lead levels should always be checked in children who may have eaten paint or objects covered in lead paint dust to screen for lead poisoning.
Your provider may also test for infection if contaminated soil or animal waste has been eaten.
Treatment
Treatment should first address any missing nutrients or other medical problems, such as lead poisoning.
Treating pica involves behaviors, the environment, and family education. One form of treatment associates the pica behavior with negative consequences or punishment (mild aversion therapy). Then the person gets rewarded for eating normal foods VSports.
Medicines may help reduce the abnormal eating behavior if pica is part of a developmental disorder such as intellectual disability.
VSports手机版 - Outlook (Prognosis)
Treatment success varies. In many cases, the disorder lasts several months and then disappears on its own V体育官网. In some cases, it may continue into the teen years or adulthood, especially when it occurs with developmental disorders.
Possible Complications
Complications include:
- Bezoar (a mass of undigestible material trapped inside the body, most often in the stomach)
- Infection
"V体育官网" When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you notice that your child (or an adult) is eating nonfood materials.
"V体育安卓版" Prevention
There is no specific prevention. Getting adequate nutrition may help V体育安卓版.
Alternative Names (VSports注册入口)
Geophagy; Lead poisoning - pica
References
DeLoughery TG. Microcytic and hypochromic anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 145 V体育ios版.
Katzman DK, Norris ML. Feeding and eating disorders. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 9.
Samsel CB, Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Rumination and pica. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 36.
"V体育官网" Review Date 5/4/2024
Updated by: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.