Pica in children with anaemia

ABSTRACT

One hundred and thirty seven children with anaemia and haemoglobin levels of 7g/dl or less on their admission were studied in Ibn Al-Baladi and Al-Mansoor Childrens' Hospitals, during the period from 1986-1990. History of pica was given in forty one patients [30%]; only thirty two Patients were included in the study with a male to female ratio of 1.461. Thirty children [94%] were under six years of age. Almost all Patients came from poor and low socio-economic class families. The duration of pica was 3 months to 2 years. Thirty one children [97%] had hypochromic microcytic anaemia, 28 children [88%] had low serum iron and all the children had raised total iron binding capacity. Pica seems to be related to the anaemia and to low serum iron, and not to the underlying cause of the anaemia. The iron deficiency anaemia in twenty two children [66%] was dietary in origin. None of the patients had clinical manifestation of chronic lead poisoning and none were mentally retarded. Two patient s had giradiasis. Pica was discovered when the parents of the children, especially those with anaemia were specifically asked