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Objective: The aim of this investigation was to know and assess the characteristics of nutrient intake in pregnant women diagnosed with pica (consumption of non nutritive substances). Materials and Methods: We studied a group of 71 women presenting pagophagia (compulsive consumption of ice) and other forms of pica, which was compared to a control group including the same number of women with similar socio-cultural and anthropometrical characteristics but without the eating disorder. Both groups were randomly selected among women assisted at the Hospital de la Matanza, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Results: we did not observed statistically significant differences in energy, total proteins, iron, and calcium consumption. However, women with pica showed lower intakes (p < 0.03) of carbohydrates, animal proteins, hemic iron, and zinc. The median values for women with and without the disorder were, respectively: carbohydrates (g): 379/426; animal proteins (g): 35/39; hemic iron (mg): 1.5/1.9; zinc (mg): 7.1/8.1, calcium (mg): 625/612. In both groups, meat was the main source of iron and zinc, and its intake was lower in the group with pica. The daily average amounts consumed were 117 + 53 g for women with pica and 154 + 71 g (p < 0.03) for the control group. Only 22% of pregnant women with the disorder referred using iron supplements during their pregnancy. Conclusions: As compared with control women, pregnant women with pica disorder showed lower intake in traditionally marginal nutrients such as iron and zinc. These results show the need for early diagnosing this disorder during pregnancy in order to prevent or correct it and properly counseling pregnant women about food selection and supplementation regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of pica during pregnancy in Argentine women. Maternal and fetal characteristics as well as the practice of pica were evaluated during the puerperium in a sample of 1,014 women from five different geographical areas. Pica prevalence for the total sample was 23.2% (95% CI 20.6-25.8). Pagophagia (ice consumption) was the main type of pica practice, followed by geophagia (earth intake) and the ingestion of soap, toothpaste and chalk. The onset of the practice was mainly in the first months of pregnancy. A total of 49.8% of women revealed a family history of pica; 30.6% had pica in childhood and 13.2% suffered from polypica. Women with pica during pregnancy had similar age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, neonatal birth weight and gestational age compared with non-pica mothers, although maternal haemoglobin concentration was lower in women with pica than in non-pica mothers (p = 0.0001).

The iron (Fe) nutritional status of 203 healthy pregnant women was assessed at the first prenatal visit (To) (gestational age: 16.9 weeks +/- 3.81. Women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: G1 and G2 were supplemented with ferrous fumarate (60 mg elemental Fe) daily or intermittently (three times a week), respectively; and GC was the control group, without supplementation. The follow up was carried out until 34-37 weeks of gestational age (Tf), but only 43% of pregnant women completed the trial. At To and Tf fasting blood samples were collected and Hematocrit (Hct), Hemoglobin (Hb), Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin (EP) and Serum Ferritin (FERR) were determined. The percentage of women with abnormal biochemical values at To (n = 203) was: Hb (g/dl) < 10.5: 2.6%; PE (microgram/dl of red blood cells) > 70: 4.8%; FERR (ng/ml) < 10: 4.4%. Results (X +/- DE) of women that completed the follow up were at To and Tf, respectively: Hct (%): GC: 37.7 +/- 3.4 and 36.0 +/- 3.2 (p < 0.05); G1: 38.8 +/- 2.2 and 38.0 +/- 2.6; G2: 39.0 +/- 2.7 and 37.7 +/- 3.7; Hb (g/dl): GC: 12.5 +/- 1.2 and 11.9 +/- 1.3 (p < 0.05); G1: 12.6 +/- 1.1 and 12.8 +/- 1.1; G2: 12.9 +/- 0.9 and 12.2 +/- 1.5; PE (microgram/dl red blood cells): GC: 30 +/- 17 and 43 +/- 22 (p < 0.01); G1: 26 +/- 13 and 38 +/- 21 (p < 0.01); G2: 26 +/- 16 and 31 +/- 26; FERR (ng/ml): GC: 75 +/- 67 and 31 +/- 49 (p < 0.01); G1: 46 +/- 34 and 19 +/- 10 (p < 0.01); G2: 43 +/- 11 and 11 +/- 7 (p < 0.01). These results show: a) Fe administration was efficient to mitigate Hb decrease; b) Fe stores decreased during pregnancy regardless of Fe supplementation and frequency; c) EP values indicate that intermittent Fe administration was more efficient to maintain normal erythropoiesis.

The iron (Fe) nutritional status was studied in 113 healthy pregnant women, age: 24.8 +/- 6.1 Ys. During the second trimester (gestational age: 16.9 +/- 3.8 weeks), a 24 h dietary recall was carried out and daily Fe intake was calculated, according to Latinoamerican and German Food Composition Tables. On the same day, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) and serum ferritin (SF) were determined in fasting blood samples. Mean daily Fe intake was 10.8 +/- 4.6 mg. The percentage of population with abnormal biochemical values was: Hb (g/dL) < 10.5: 2%; PE > 70 microgram/dL of red blood cells: 6.5%; SF (ng/mL) < 12-20: 16%. According to the new recommendations of the American Institute of Medicine, Fe supplementation would be necessary in women with SF < 20 ng/ml (22%). Therefore, the follow-up of iron stores would be necessary in those with SF > 20 ng/mL before Fe administration.