[Pica as a harbinger of schizophrenia]

The author reports the case of a youth who first became salient by self-neglect and finally was hospitalized for heavy drug abuse. In the closed ward, he suddenly displayed pica behavior but, in the further course, developed a typical schizophrenic syndrome. The diagnostic criteria are presented as well as all subtypes of pica. The author goes into the question of the aetiology of this enigmatic disorder. Finally, he points out the typical complications of pica and the therapeutical possibilities which are determined most of all by the underlying disease.