Pica in Pregnancy: An Unusual Presentation

Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Dec;130(6):1377-1379. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002365.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* / diagnosis
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* / physiopathology
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* / therapy
  • Chemically-Induced Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Chemically-Induced Disorders* / etiology
  • Chemically-Induced Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Chemically-Induced Disorders* / therapy
  • Detergents / toxicity
  • Esophagitis / chemically induced
  • Esophagitis / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Gastritis / chemically induced
  • Gastritis / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Iron Deficiencies
  • Iron* / administration & dosage
  • Noxae / toxicity
  • Pica* / diagnosis
  • Pica* / etiology
  • Pica* / physiopathology
  • Pica* / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications* / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications* / therapy
  • Trace Elements / administration & dosage
  • Trace Elements / deficiency
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Noxae
  • Trace Elements
  • Iron