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Pica in Pregnancy: An Unusual Presentation
Katharine E Epler1, Arand Pierce, Valerie J Rappaport
1University of New Mexico School of Medicine, the Presbyterian Infusion Center; the Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Background:
Pica is common in pregnancy and is often felt to be benign. The following case of severe pica presenting without anemia is unusual in its presentation, laboratory findings, and treatment.
Case:
A 31-year-old multiparous woman at 37 0/7 weeks of gestation presented with esophagitis and gastritis secondary to laundry detergent consumption. She had borderline anemia (hemoglobin of 11 g/dL and hematocrit of 37%, mean corpuscular volume 80%) but was severely iron-deficient (serum ferritin 7 micrograms/dL). Parenteral iron infusion was associated with dramatic resolution of her cravings within 36 hours of treatment.
Conclusion:
Pica may be related to deficient iron stores in the absence of anemia and can result in serious morbidity. Parenteral iron may be associated with rapid pica resolution in symptomatic pregnant patients.
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