7 And a more recent study found that pica may affect birth weights of infants. A study revealed that head circumferences of infants born to women struggling with ingestion of large quantities of ice and/or freezer frost were smaller compared with infants born to women without pica. 6 The effects of pica on the fetus remain unclear. A meta-analysis of 43 studies revealed that pica contributes to developing anemia and lowering hemoglobin, hematocrit, and/or zinc levels. Ingestion of soil could lead to nutritional deficiencies and intestinal parasite infection, while ingestion of ice lacks notable complications. 3 Ingestion of clay may cause nutritional deficiencies, constipation, and/or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation. 2,3Ĭomplications of pica depend on the ingested substance and its amount. 2 Other risk factors for developing pica include lower educational status, residence in rural areas, and culture (eg, women in Kenya consume clay due to its perceived role in fertility and reproduction). 3,5 A meta-analysis of 70 studies revealed that women with anemia are 1.6 times more likely to develop pica compared with women without anemia and that patients of African American ethnicity are 2.2 times more likely to have pica compared with other ethnicities. 3 One theory suggests that deficiencies in minerals such as iron or zinc contribute to pica, while others propose that practicing pica interferes with micronutrient absorption and leads to these deficiencies.
Cravings for substances such as cigarette ashes, burnt matches, stones, coffee grounds, paint chips, or sand may occur.Īlthough the causes of pica in pregnancy are unclear, certain risk factors predispose pregnant women to developing this condition. 3 Most common cravings consist of clay or dirt (geophagia), large amounts of ice (pagophagia), or raw starch (amylophagia). 2-4 The prevalence numbers may be underreported because many pregnant women feel uncomfortable reporting the condition. 1 Pica occurs more frequently during pregnancy – close to 30% of pregnant or postpartum women experience pica worldwide, with the highest prevalence in Africa.
#PICA SYNDROME DURING PREGNANCY MANUAL#
According to the 5 th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pica is a condition involving persistent eating of nonfood substances for over at least 1 month that is not part of cultural or social practice.
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