The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of pica during pregnancy in Argentine women. Maternal and fetal characteristics as well as the practice of pica were evaluated during the puerperium in a sample of 1,014 women from five different geographical areas. Pica prevalence for the total sample was 23.2% (95% CI 20.6-25.8). Pagophagia (ice consumption) was the main type of pica practice, followed by geophagia (earth intake) and the ingestion of soap, toothpaste and chalk. The onset of the practice was mainly in the first months of pregnancy. A total of 49.8% of women revealed a family history of pica; 30.6% had pica in childhood and 13.2% suffered from polypica. Women with pica during pregnancy had similar age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, neonatal birth weight and gestational age compared with non-pica mothers, although maternal haemoglobin concentration was lower in women with pica than in non-pica mothers (p = 0.0001).

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956,2p.-(1113) ArgentinaIron deficiency anemia is prevalent among pregnant women, but its influence in maternal and neonatal health is still uncertain. Latin America shows a high prevalence of maternal and child morbidity, mortality and anemia, reflecting nutritional problems and socio-cultural behavioural factors. However, Argentina is an exception within Latin America due to its high meat consumption, even in the low socio-economic population. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 157 pregnant women assisted at delivery in a suburban hospital, between July and September/1998. Most of the women did not have a follow-up at the Hospital and they had not taken iron or vitamin supplements during pregnancy. Maternal venous fasting blood samples were collected with EDTA and Hematocrit (Htc), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Hemoglobin (Hb) and Mean Cell Volume (MCV) were determined by an electronic counter. Infant birth weight (IBW) and delivery gestational age (DGE) were recorded. The mean values, standard deviation and ranges (between brackets) were: RBC (X 10 6 /µl): 3.75 + 0.53; Htc(%): 34.1 + 5.1 (52-21); MCV(fL): 92 + 7 (115-71); Hb (g/dL): 11.1 + 1.8 (16.9-7.1); (DGA) (weeks): 38.8 + 2.4 (26-41). Distribution of the population according to Hb (g/dL) was: <7.0: 1.9%; 7.1-8.9: 10.5%; 9.0-10.9: 30.5%; 11.0-13.2: 45%; >13.2: 12%. MCV(fL) was <80 in 4.5% of the women and >100 in 5%. The percentage of preterm birth (<38 weeks of DGA) was 5.9% in the whole population, but there was no correlation with the haematologic parameters. Two women (1.3%) had dead infants. IBW (g) of the other alive born infants was: 3252 + 618 (5350-810). These results show that, in spite of an important percentage of women with Hb values <11.0 g/dL at delivery, there was a high percentage with Hb values >12.0 375

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