Your doctor may order a blood test to check your child’s iron and zinc levels.These can check for possible anemia, look for toxins in the blood, and find blockages in the intestines. Each non-food substance craving is related to different dietary deficiencies: ice is related to folic acid or iron deficiency anaemia. Pica is associated chiefly with nutritional deficiencies, but it can also exist without them. Your doctor may order tests, such as blood tests or X-rays. We’re available Mon-Fri 7am 10pm Sat 9am 5pm & Sun 11am 7pm Click CHAT NOW or call (800) 672-2296 Chat Now Our Partners Only the best will do for babies and their parents The American Pregnancy Association screens our sponsors’ products and services for pregnancy safety, effectiveness, comfort and accuracy. Pica is ubiquitous among different economies and races in the world.If the behavior has occurred for a month or more, your doctor may diagnose it as pica.If your child is in a high-risk group for pica (they have intellectual or developmental disabilities), your doctor may ask if you have seen your child eating nonfood items and for how long.This might happen as a result of a nutrient. These could include stomach upset or bowel problems. Pica is an eating disorder in which you eat items of no nutritional value that are not typically viewed as food. Your doctor will look at your child’s physical symptoms.But a person diagnosed with pica repeatedly eats nonfood items, even if those items make them sick. Common symptoms of Pica include: Abdominal pain. Chewing ice may relieve any tongue pain caused by iron. Because it has been shown to be linked to iron deficiency anemia and it responds to iron supplementation, some scientists think it may be a sign and symptom of nutritional deficiency. Dental issues may result from eating ice and other hard substances. Pagophagia is the medical name for the compulsive eating ice or iced drinks. Many typical children chew on things such as their nails and ice, or they mouth their toys and hair. A person may become bloated and constipated as a result of consuming clay.

Pica cravings