Children eating painted plaster containing lead may develop brain damage from lead poisoning. Pica is most commonly seen in pregnant women, small children, and people who may have developmental disabilities such as autism. Stressors such as psychological trauma, maternal deprivation, family issues, parental neglect, pregnancy, and a disorganized family structure are risk factors for pica.
Pica has been linked to other mental disorders. In addition, it can cause surgical emergencies to address intestinal obstructions, as well as more subtle symptoms such as nutritional deficiencies and parasitosis. Pica may lead to intoxication in children, which can result in an impairment of both physical and mental development. Īccording to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), pica as a standalone eating disorder must persist for more than one month at an age when eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate, not part of culturally sanctioned practice, and sufficiently severe to warrant clinical attention. The term was drawn directly from the medieval Latin word for magpie, a bird subject to much folklore regarding its opportunistic feeding behaviors.
The ingested or craved substance may be biological, natural or manmade. It is classified as an eating disorder but can also be the result of an existing mental disorder. Pica is the eating or craving of things that are not food.
