It's normal for young children to put non-edibles in their mouths as they learn about their environment, but if you or someone you know continues to ingest the same non-food for one month or longer, it may be Pica disease.
So what is it? Well, let us channel old man Webster for a sec and clue you in. "Pica" comes from Latin word "magpie," a bird that known for it's tendency to eat, well, anything. Well, the magpie story is a little silly, the disease is certainly no laughing matter. Pica is treated as a serious eating disorder, sometimes resulting in serious health problems such as lead poisoning and iron-deficiency anemia.
Who gets it? Pica is often developed in people with developmental disabilities, including autism, mental retardation and in children between the ages two and three. People suffering from mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia are also more likely to suffer from Pica. And pregnant women beware: If you experienced Pica as a child, it can recur in pregnancy.
And what are the symptoms? A better question might be "What do they eat?" The answer is a lengthy one. Victims often eat any of the following: dirt, clay, paint chips, plaster, chalk, cornstarch, laundry starch, baking soda, coffee grounds, cigarette ashes, burnt match heads, cigarette butts, feces, ice, glue, hair, paper, sand, toothpaste and soap.
For more information on Pica, visit kidshealth.org.
