| Eating non food items is referred to as pica. These items may include, but are not limited to dirt, paint chips, coffee grounds, hair, paper, sand, and cigarettes. For a true diagnosis of pica, the child should be craving and eating these things for at least a month.
Although common in infants and toddlers, most children outgrow pica by the time they are about three years old. Pica is also more common with other disorders, such as mental retardation, autism, and other developmental disabilities. Pica is also common during pregnancy.
If your child is growing and developing normally, then pica is more likely a habit than an obsessive compulsive disorder.
Among the factors to look at if your child has pica is why she does it. Is it more often when she is nervous or bored?
If your child has pica, then it is probably best to start off with a visit to your Pediatrician, as pica can sometimes be associated with mineral deficiencies, including a deficiency of iron and/or zinc. After that, a child psychologist and/or child psychiatrist for behavioral therapy might be helpful.
It can also help if you talk to her about it and try to figure out why she is doing it. If it is because she is nervous or if it is a self comforting behavior, then you can try to substitute a different behavior. Also, offer lots of praise and attention when you notice that she isn't eating things.
You also want to closely evaluate if she has any risk factors for lead poisoning, such as living in or often visiting a house (or daycare) that was built before 1950, or living in or often visiting a house (or daycare) that was built before 1978 and is being remodeled? These types of houses may contain lead paint, which can lead to lead poisoning if your child is ingesting the paint or chewing on the window sill. Take our lead poisoning screening quiz for more information about risk factors for lead poisoning.
In addition to lead poisoning, pica can put your child at risk of other poisonings and parasite infections and it can lead to constipation from a bezoar or obstruction.
Pica Web Resources
- Pica: an article about the causes of pica, what it can do to your child's health and what to do about it.
- Medical Encylopedia - Pica: more information about pica.
- Eating Disorder - Pica: introduction to pica, including clinical findings, workup, and treatments.
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