PICA Syndrome

There can be various reasons for a lack of availability of nutrition in the body. Sometimes, due to hazerdous exposure to lead, mercury, cadmium, alluminum, some vaccines or antiboitics (or even anti-siezure medications), the lining of the intestines can be disturbed or metabolic processes inhibited. Also, if the girls are not identical twins, it is possible that genetic differences could mean a difference in the digestive enzymes their bodies produce. Under any of these circumstances, the body is not always able to assimilate and/or metabolize the nutrients from the foods or supplements they injest. So, just because they swallow it, doesn't mean their body is using it.

Keep in mind that there are many environmental toxins to avoid. Cadmium, for example, is not only present in red and yellow paint, but in second-hand cigarrette smoke as well as fertalizers and weed killers commonly used in lawn and garden care.

I have a nephew who suffered with this. One of the othe factors to consider is that children who eat dirt, feces, etc, are more likely to have parasites that would further compromise nutritional supplies. So, there may be more than one or two types of therapies necessary to see results.

My recommendation would be to seek out a Naturopath or Chiropractor who is a well studied nutritionist. Since so much of what a medical doctor does actually disturbs metabolic balances in the body, they are not as well trained in re-establishing that balance or detoxifying the body from the very toxins they use so commonly. There are times when a medical doctor is the best practitioner for the circumstances. I do feel that you will get better answers with more natural practitioners in this circumstance.

The following info comes from a website I found:

Signs and tests
There is no single test that confirms pica. However, because pica can occur in people who have lower than normal nutrient levels and poor nutrition (malnutrition), the health care provider should test blood levels of iron and zinc.

Hemoglobin can also be checked to test for anemia. Lead levels should always be checked in children who may have eaten paint or objects covered in lead-paint dust. The health care provider should test for infection if the person has been eating contaminated soil or animal waste.

Treatment
Treatment should first address any missing nutrients and other medical problems, such as lead exposure.

Treatment involves behavior and development, environmental, and family education approaches. Other successful treatments include associating the pica behavior with bad consequences or punishment (mild aversion therapy) followed by positive reinforcement for eating the right foods.

Medications may help reduce the abnormal eating behavior, if pica occurs as part of a developmental disorder such as mental retardation.

Expectations (prognosis)
Treatment success varies. In many cases, the disorder lasts several months, then disappears on its own. In some cases, it may continue into the teen years or adulthood, especially when it occurs with developmental disorders.

Hello Jamie,

I'm actually in nursing school and we were just talking about PICA in class last night. It is usually caused by a lack of something. So I would definately recommend going to the dr. and having blood work done. Once you find out what the child is lacking it will make it easier to fix. However, your child is now also forming a habit that you will have to break evern after you find out what they are lacking.

Each person is different and everyone's body is different so just because they are twins and eat the same makes it very possible for one to have PICA and the other to still be fine.

Good Luck!

I have triplets and have wondered if one of them has PICA. He is now 6 and has been eating hair and lint practically from birth. I've asked about it, but since it seems to be only lint and hair, it seems to pose no real threat. If, however, he was eating bird poop or lead paint chips, I would be worried. I'll be interested to hear what your doctor says. Incidentally, my little guy who eats hair is also the one that doctors predicted would be challenged. They told me to prepare to have him spend his formative years in special-ed. I'm happy to report that he's in the highest reading group in his kindergarten class.

good luck to you!

www.thosecrazybeans.blogspot.com

My son is 3, and he does the same thing. He likes to eat chalk, crayons, drywall, dirt, he'll chew on the ceiling on his way downstairs, he used to eat cat food, and there are the occasional other various things here and there. He was tested for PICA, his iron and zinc levels were fine at the time. He also was getting his iron levels tested at WIC and they were fine. I had low iron levels during pregnancy, but his have always been within a point of the recommended levels. He hs no signs of autism etc either. He's supposed to go back to the DRs to have his levels tested again etc. So indeed let us know what the Dr says! May shine some light on what to expect when we go!

I'am glad to read that you have already made an appt for your daughter.I have a niece who eats chalk sand and other yucky things that is so gross,she has no symptoms of autism or any other disorders like speech,mental she is very tiny just like the rest of her older siblings and doesn't eat well she nibbles and then she is done.Kids will eat things but when it comes to things that aren't eatable such as dirt chalk sand etc there is an underlying medical issue and for some it is a vitamin defiency.Does your daughter say anything about a bad taste in her mouth like metal or as if she is sucking a spoon.My kids are healthy my daughter was put on a multivitamin becasue she was enemic under age of 6 months and was on it daily for a yr.Now she is on a chewable multivitamin and so is my son just because my dr recomended it due to lack of vitamin D and the new guidelines just recently put out by the FDA.NO they haven't had any blood testing to prove they are lacking but it is recomneded that they should take one and it can't hurt 1 daily.Let us know what you find out

You've got some great responses - I can't really add much. But to simplify, one of the most common causes of PICA is zinc deficiency. Just because both of your girls eat the same things, that doesn't mean their bodies absorb the same things. Its good that you're seeing a doctor. You might try a zinc supplement. Just make sure you stay within the daily recommended dose for a child.