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Pica syndrome 12 year old5/8/2023 ![]() In a case report 13, a patient with depression and pregnancy got diagnosed with both bulimia and PICA. Another effect, which could be seen as more life-threatening, is a development of an additional eating disorder. Teeth attrition is dentrimental especially with effects of numbing nerves and increases the sensitivity of teeth as there is less protection. ![]() Al 12, there was report of attrition of teeth due to a habit of eating sand. This depends on what the individual is eating frequently since for example they are addicted to chewing bricks and stones, this can lead to the abrasion of the teeth. However, this is still quite prevalent nowadays where sources of lead can be found in some medication types and pottery. This was a prevalent problem before the 1970s where children live for an extended time at old houses with lead paint. Lastly, a high level of lead exposure can be associated as a cause of PICA. Also, the physiological reasoning behind PICA that the theory explains is that eating the clay or starch removes or helps relieve nausea, control diarrhoea, increase salivation, remove toxins or even alter taste or odour perception during pregnancy when women have odd cravings. 7 A theory 8 suggests that leptin and other appetite-regulating ‘brain enzymes’ trigger specific cravings and these are altered by the iron or zinc deficiency. 6Additionally, soil contains compounds that bounds both iron and zinc and further causes unusual abnormalities. The clay and the starch binds the iron in the individual’s gastrointestinal tract and exacerbates the deficiency. 5 Patients commonly tend to eat soil clay, ice, and laundry starch. 4Īnother cause is a zinc, iron and calcium deficiency. For example, some children do not have breakfast and eat paper or other items instead just to survive and to beat their hunger. 3 However, other behaviours and causes are abnormal arose from either mental health conditions or just the environment people are in. Naturally, babies have a tendency to put anything they find in their mouths but it is a given behaviour in this case since they are exploring the environment around them and developing their sense of taste. Instead, there are many theories that have been proposed. No one cause has been identified to explain this disorder. There could be even more people that have this, but do not report it, for example children hiding this behaviour from their parents or guardians. 2 This disorder is not widely known, and it may sound strange and uncommon however it must be made aware about especially due to the extremely harmful effects it has on people’s health. In the United States alone up to 68% of pregnant women, 18.5% of children and 50% 18-36 months old children are currently affected by it – this doesn’t even include the rest of the world. 1 It is hugely prevalent as it can affect a wide age range. ![]() You have probably heard of anorexia nervosa as the most common eating disorder, but do you know what PICA is? According to NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association), it is “eating items that aren’t typically thought of as food and have no significant nutritional value”.
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