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[Pica and iron-deficiency anemia in a 2-year old Indian child]
E Vanin1, L Urso, S Meneghetti
1Dipartimento di Pediatria, Ospedale Civile di Arzignano, Vicenza.
Insights
Pica, the eating of nonfood items, is often linked to iron deficiency. This case study highlights severe iron-deficiency anemia in a young Indian child with pica.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Pica is characterized by the compulsive consumption of nonnutritive substances.
- The etiology of pica remains largely unknown, but it is frequently associated with iron-deficiency anemia or pregnancy.
Observation:
- A case of pica is presented in a 2-year-old Indian child.
- The child presented with symptoms indicative of severe ferropenic anemia.
Findings:
- The case illustrates a direct association between pica and severe iron-deficiency anemia in a pediatric patient.
- Ferropenic anemia was a significant comorbidity in this young child with pica.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of investigating iron deficiency in children presenting with pica.
- Early diagnosis and management of iron-deficiency anemia are crucial for addressing pica symptoms in children.
- Highlights the need for considering nutritional deficiencies in the differential diagnosis of pica.
Abstract:
Pica is the compulsive ingestion of nonnutritive substances. The causes are not known, but the symptom is often associated either with iron-deficiency or with pregnancy. The authors report on a case of pica in a 2-year old Indian child, affected by a serious ferropenic anaemia.