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Pica Poster
Pica Poster
Pica Poster
INTRODUCTION
SUMMARY
Pica, which is commonly associated with pregnancy, is the impulsive and routine
ingestion of unsustainable items [1]. Frequently consumed non-food items would
include clay, rocks, ice, soap, chalk, and other potentially harmful objects. There
are sevral types of pica, which include geophagia, pagophagia, and amylophagia.
Geophagia is the injestion of earth materials, pagophagia is ice consumption, and
amylophagia is the oral intake of starches. Experiencing pica during pregnancy can
be an indicator of nutrient deficiencies, especially specific minerals that pregnant
women need. Common nutrient deficiencies that are commonly associated with pica
include iron, zinc, and magnesium.
RESEARCH
Several studies have recorded common reasons women reported eating behaviors
related to pica
Maternal hemoglobin concentrations lower in women with pica than nonpica women3,5
Similar age, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, neonatal birth weight, and
gestational age in both pica and non-pica women5
Significantly smaller head circumferences in neonates of pica mothers
than non-pica mothers5
A strong relationship was determined between geophagy, amylophagy, and
low hemoglobin concentrations and iron deficiency anemia2
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of pica due to increased nutrient needs, food
cravings/aversions, and other side effect of pregnancy that can affect nutrient
status. There are different methods that can be done to improve health and
nutrition of those at risk for pica:
A large amount of nausea and vomiting is experienced by pregnant women
that could affect the dietary intake1
Food cravings and aversions are related to the maternal dietary intake so
it is important to understand these when looking at maternal nutrition1
Iron nutritional status should be assessed due to the lower hemoglobin
levels in women with pica. Iron supplements have been proposed to
reverse pica3
Dietitians should ask pregnant women with anemia about pica and counsel
pregnant women who report having pica5
The early diagnosis of pica would contribute to identifying the pregnant
women at increased risk for iron deficiency5
Geophagy
90%
Population Prevalence
The research states that there are many causes for pica during pregnancy along with
many possible causes associated with them. Pica, however, is a poorly understood
compulsion to persistenly consume non-nutritional substances with little or no
nutritional value. Research finds that the etiology of pica is poorly understood but
some possible causes are1
Hunger2
Psychological Stress3
Micronutrient deficiencies (Fe, Zn, and Ca) and iron deficient anemia2
Cultural traditions1
Low hemoglobin concentrations2
Gastrointestinal distress2
Amylophagy
Other non-foods
80%
PICA
When what you crave is not fit
for human consumption
More research is needed in order to better understand what the cause of pica is
and what can be done to reduce the prevalence of pica, especially during
pregnancy. There are currently only behavioral modifications or treatment
methods available, which will later be discussed, that can help manage pica.
However, there has yet to be any specific medication that can be taken to
prevent or help reduce the risks associated with pica during pregnancy.
70%
60%
CLINICAL APPLICATION
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Male
(n=217)
Children
(5-11 years)
Adolescents
(12-16 years)
Adults
(>16 years)
Perinatal
Female
Behavior modification
Food
Mollusks clams, mussels, oysters
Liver chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, pork
Iron
24mg/3oz
26mg/4oz
Squash/Pumpkin Seeds
Nuts
Beef/Lamb
Beans & Lentils
Whole Grains, Cereals, Brans
Dark Leafy Greens
Dark Chocolate
Tofu
34mg/1cup
7.8mg/1cup
3.1mg/3oz
6.6mg/1cup
2.8mg/1cup
6mg/1cup cooked
5mg/square
3.4mg/1cup