Depending on what is being ingested, experiencing this disorder whilst pregnant can be dangerous for the fetus. The demand for iron is increased in pregnancy, and morning sickness and vomiting can lead to lower iron stores. Pregnancy – Pica in pregnancy is thought to be due to a nutritional deficiency, for example, being iron deficient and having iron deficient anaemia.Anyone with this feeding disorder should be tested for these deficiencies. Mineral deficiency – Those with iron, zinc or calcium deficiency are more likely to develop pica.It may be related to poor nutrition and dietary insufficiency. Poverty – Pica seems more common in those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.Mental health conditions – It is more common in those with mental health conditions and may be a type of coping mechanism.Psychologists have suggested eating non-food items is a way of controlling intrusive thoughts. Stress and anxiety – Sometimes people develop pica when going through stressful life events such as relationship breakdown or divorce.Toxoplasma, often found in cat poo, can cause severe lung and brain disease. Ascaris is a roundworm which can be acquired by ingesting eggs from contaminated faeces. Parasitic organisms include cryptosporidium and giardia which cause gastroenteritis.Viruses – Hepatitis viruses may be found in poo.Bacteria – E.coli, and salmonella can cause gastroenteritis.Poo contains pathogenic organisms, including bacteria, viruses and parasites, so eating poo can be dangerous and even fatal. Lead gradually accumulates in the body, causing headaches, stomach pain, constipation, fatigue, convulsions and eventually coma and death.Įating hair – known as Rapunzel syndrome – can result in hairballs (bezoars) which block the intestines causing bowel obstruction. This can be very dangerous as it contains high concentrations of lead, resulting in lead poisoning. Paint is a substance that recorded patients with pica have eaten. It’s pretty harmless to eat ice for example, but eating other things can be highly dangerous. The effects depend on what has been eaten. These include for example – soil, ice, clay, paint, eggshells, coffee grounds, paper, soap, charcoal, hair and even human or animal poo. People suffering from pica may eat a huge variety of things. What kind of things do people with pica eat? Mental health conditions – Pica is more common in those with learning disabilities, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania (pulling out hair) and schizophrenia.Pregnant women – In one American study 27.8-68% of pregnant women experienced pica.Children – The disorder is said to affect 10-30% of children between the ages of 1 to 6 years.
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