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The article presents the results of clinical and laboratory studies on 29 children with geophagia, serious growth retardation, and delayed sexual maturation. Other findings in these children included iron deficiency anemia, mild to moderate liver changes and nonspecific intestinal mucosal changes. Many complications such as lead poisoning and intestinal parasitosis may follow the ingestion of unusual substances for food. Iron deficiency is seen frequently in such patients, although some investigators believe that the pica is the result of pre-existing iron deficiency rather that its cause.