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Objective: To investigate the relationship between prenatal geophagy, maternal prenatal haematological indices, malaria, helminth infections and cognitive and motor development among offspring.Methods: At least a year after delivery, 552 of 863 HIV-negative mothers with singleton births who completed a clinical trial comparing the efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and mefloquine during pregnancy in Allada, Benin, responded to a nutrition questionnaire including their geophagous habits during pregnancy. During the clinical trial, helminth infection, malaria, haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations were assessed at 1st and 2nd antenatal care visits (ANV) and at delivery. After the first ANV, women were administered daily iron and folic acid supplements until three what? post-delivery. Singleton children were assessed for cognitive function at age 1 year using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.Results: The prevalence of geophagy during pregnancy was 31.9%. Pregnant women reporting geophagy were more likely to be anaemic (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.1, 3.4]) at their first ANV if they reported geophagy at the first trimester. Overall, prenatal geophagy was not associated with maternal haematological indices, malaria or helminth infections, but geophagy during the third trimester and throughout pregnancy was associated with poor motor function (AOR = -3.8, 95% CI [-6.9, -0.6]) and increased odds of geophagous behaviour in early childhood, respectively.Conclusions: Prenatal geophagy is not associated with haematological indices in the presence of micronutrient supplementation. However, it may be associated with poor child motor function and infant geophagy. Geophagy should be screened early in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on the treatment of pica (i.e., the ingestion of inedible objects) is limited compared to research on the treatment of other types of severe problem behavior. This study involved the use of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, with a discard response as the alternative behavior, to treat pica presented by a 13-year-old girl with an autism spectrum disorder. We extended previous research by thinning the schedule of reinforcement for the alternative response. Substantial reductions in pica were obtained. Limitations and future directions in the treatment of pica are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pica, the intentional ingestion of culturally determined “nonfood” substances, occurs cross-culturally and most commonly during pregnancy. The current study describes women’s perceptions of ethnomedical and sociocultural aspects of pica along with familial acquisition and transmission of knowledge and behaviors in a South Indian population. Findings showed that in contrast to Western models of pica, nonfood consumption is not entirely taboo; consumers rely on local remedies to cure overconsumption; and perceptions of prevalence extend beyond pregnancy. Future research on pica should consider consumption patterns outside of pregnancy and the role stigma plays in individuals seeking assistance for overconsumption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Introduction: Previous studies of soil eating, or geophagia, among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa indicate the practice is widespread. Various explanations have been explored to explain the global phenomenon of soil eating, with the most compelling explanation focused on clay's ability to prevent or treat intestinal infection. The urban South African context for clay eating is not well understood. This paper explores clay consumption amongst pregnant migrants who are nationals of countries where clay consumption may be common.Methods: I conducted in-depth interviews with a purposively selected group of Somali, Congolese, and Zimbabwean women (n = 23). Interviews included questions broadly related to maternal and infant nutrition. In addition, I conducted nine focus group discussions (n = 48) with adult Somali, Congolese (DRC), and Zimbabwean men (N = 3) and women (N = 6), segregated by country of origin and gender. This paper focuses specifically on responses related to geophagia.Results: While Somali women did not report consuming clay or charcoal, Congolese and Zimbabwean participants self-reported commonly consuming clay during pregnancy, and at times also when not pregnant. Despite having heard public health messaging that discouraged the practice, participants largely did not describe this consumption in terms of health, but rather in terms of craving and habit. Participants described continued consumption of clay in South Africa, and the only reason for ceasing consumption was in cases of severe constipation.Discussion: The widespread consumption of clay soil by Congolese and Zimbabwean women during pregnancy may be a mechanism through which identity was reasserted and reproduced in a foreign country. Participants' emphasis on clay consumption seemed related to the absence or expense of other craved foods, and perhaps also to feelings of loss in Cape Town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pica is a psychological disorder of intentional and craving consumption of non-nutritive substances over a period of time. This is seen at an age when such a behavior is developmentally inappropriate. Substances such as wall paint, soil, hair, and feces have been reported as being consumed. Complications of this condition may range from being self-limiting to life-threatening. Radiological examinations play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of this condition. We present a case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with chronic abdominal pain with history of persistent consumption of pencil erasers. Abdominal radiographs showed radio-opaque foreign bodies, and etiological diagnosis was made when the radiologist obtained a detailed history from the patient's mother. We also discuss the radiographic evaluation of the pencil eraser and the reason why it is densely radio-opaque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a case study of a patient who initially attended a minor illness clinic with restless leg syndrome. During the consultation it became obvious that the patient had pica. Pica is an eating disorder where people ingest a non-nutritive substance for at least 1 month. Angela (pseudonym) had been eating one full sheet of sand paper a day. The case study reviews the assessment and management of the patient. The usual management is a multidisciplinary approach to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pica is a potentially deadly form of self-injurious behavior most frequently exhibited by individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Research indicates that pica can be decreased with behavioral interventions; however, the existing literature reflects treatment effects for small samples ( n = 1-4) and the overall success of such treatments is not well-understood. This study quantified the overall effect size by examining treatment data from all patients seen for treatment of pica at an intensive day-treatment clinical setting ( n = 11), irrespective of treatment success. Results demonstrate that behavioral interventions are highly effective treatments for pica, as determined by the large effect size for individual participants (i.e., NAP scores ≥ .70) and large overall treatment effect size (Cohen's d = 1.80). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PICA is an act or habit of eating non-food items such as stone, bricks, chalk, soap, paper, soil etc., It occurs in children who actually start seeing the world through the oral cavity. There are many theories behind it such as iron and zinc deficiency etc., We as dentists should be able to diagnose and treat such conditions, as they may cause ill-effects to the developing dentition. This case report attempt to highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment of pica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the treatment approach for pica with the best research support. [•] The trend is toward functional assessment and reinforcement schedules and away from noxious stimuli. [•] There is a need for more research on pica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pica displayed by two individuals with autism was decreased by a treatment involving differential reinforcement and response interruption that altered the chain of behavior involved in pica (i.e., picking up items and placing them in the mouth). The treatment involved establishing prompts to 'clean-up' as a new discriminative stimulus (SD) for picking up items from the floor; and holding potential pica items was established as an SD for discarding those items in a trash receptacle, putting them away, or using them appropriately. After demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment in an analog setting, the treatment package was systematically generalized to community settings. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to critically examine the existing literature on the treatment of pica displayed by individuals with intellectual disabilities. Criteria for empirically supported treatments as described by Divisions 12 and 16 of APA, and adapted for studies employing single-case designs were used to review this body of literature. A total of 34 treatment studies were identified, 25 of which were well designed and reported at least an 80% reduction in pica (21 studies reported 90% or greater reduction in pica). Results indicated that behavioral treatments in general, and treatments involving the combination of reinforcement and response reduction procedures in particular, can be designated as well-established treatments for pica exhibited by individuals with intellectual disabilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A supplemental starch feeding (SSF) procedure was used to decrease rumination in a 27‐year‐old man. A multiple baseline across mealtimes design determined treatment efficacy, followed by 26 months of maintenance and fading implemented by direct‐care staff. Following intermittent meals, four slices of bread were offered in a paced manner, after which the frequency of rumination was measured. Subsequent to the SSF sessions, the participant’s rumination reduced 47%, from 0.19 per minute (8.5 per session) after baseline sessions to 0.09 per minute (4.1 per session) after treatment sessions. Ongoing measures in the natural setting continued to show reductions through maintenance and fading of the supplemental feeding. No weight gain was noted during the time the procedure was in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the treatment of reinforced pica by manipulating the response effort for pica and alternative behavior. Definition of pica; Reduction in the levels of pica due to the availability of alternative items; Effect of increasing response effort for pica on the pica behavior of the subjects.

Behavioral treatments for the eating disorder pica are reviewed. An extensive search of the literature yielded five previous reviews, 45 articles, and 3 dissertations. Interventions designed to reduce pica are described, including self-protective devices, overcorrection, water mist and aromatic ammonia, brief restraint, differential reinforcement, discrimination training, patient self-report, and ecological modifications. Many interventions were associated with reductions or eliminations of pica and required few hours of intensive therapist or staff involvement. Methodological problems with the published data base on pica are assessed. Suggestions for further primary research and reviews are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case study on pica. Characteristics of pica as an eating disorder; Adverse effects on the treatment of pica; Nutritional basis for pica; Psychosocial factors associated to the development of pica.

A detailed procedure for making placebo cigarette butts or "bogus butts" which can be used in the observation and treatment of pica for cigarettes is described. These placebo cigarette butts have been used successfully with several individuals in a residential treatment setting. The use of these bogus butts allows the clinician/researcher to use a stimulus object which can be safely ingested. thus permitting a functional analysis of the target behavior as well as assessment of potential treatment approaches without the possible interference and confound of a prevention procedure such as physically removing the pica material before it is consumed, limiting the length of baseline, or intervening during the baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which is concerned with coprophagia and pica in individuals with mild to moderate dementia and mixed (iron deficiency and macrocytic) anemia.

Pica is an eating disorder typically defined as the persistent eating of nonnutritive substances for a period of at least 1 month at an age in which this behavior is developmentally inappropriate. Acuphagia being consumption of sharp objects and Hyalophagia consumption of glass materials. Majority of the foreign bodies ingested into the gastrointestinal tract pass through the rectum asymptomatically, where as objects which are sharp, long, jagged may not be able to pass through. These types of objects may cause complications like impaction, leading to intestinal obstruction, ulceration, perforation and bleeding, thus need surgical exploration. In this case of young female with impacted bunch of bangles in the stomach and few in the small and large bowel, who was completely asymptomatic, needed gastrotomy with enterotomy for complete and successful retrieval of glass bangles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the prevalence, contributing causes, and treatment for pica, a pathological craving for and eating of a non-nutritive item or food ingredients. Information on the different forms of pica and the available behavioral, pharmacological and patient education treatment is offered. The author concludes that further research on the normal psychobiology and developmental progression of food selection, and disturbances in neuropsychiatric disorders, among others, is needed.

A case of road traffic accident with incidental finding of multiple opacities in the pelvis radiography was evaluated and diagnosed as chalk eating was the cause and managed conservatively. We report here the details of the case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a review of research regarding intentional foreign body ingestion and provides a case study of this type of self-injurious behavior. Topics include the author's insights regarding the care of patients who present with this illness, and the importance of maintaining a safe environment and monitoring all potentially ingestible substances in the patient's vicinity.

Reviews the general surgical management of mentally handicapped persons with pica. Study of hospital records of mentally handicapped patients with pica treated at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Canada; Surgical intervention procedures; Seriousness of pica in mentally handicapped persons.