Dysfunctional eating patterns symptoms of pica in children and adolescent's with sickle cell disease

The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and relationship of pica symptoms and dysfunctional eating patterns in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). Children and caregivers (n = 146) completed questionnaires assessing eating difficulties and symptoms of pica. Information also was collected from medical records and analyzed for relationships with dysfunctional eating patterns. Incidence of problems and their association with disease parameters of SCD were examined. Dysfunctional eating patterns were found in those with no symptoms of pica and those with severe symptoms of pica. Caregiver-reported dysfunctional eating patterns were associated with caregiver- and child-reported frequency of painful episodes. Clin Pediatr. 2002;41:493-500
Introduction Pica, the mouthing or eating of nonnutritive substances, occurs in numerous cultures and across all ages. The most common forms of pica include geographia (ingestion of clay, sand, dirt), [...]