The Association Between Pica and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Scoping Review

Ganesan, Pallavi R; Vasauskas, Audrey A.

doi:10.7759/cureus.37904

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Also, pica could reduce iron absorption [33]. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia need a holistic approach, i.e., to take a full history of practicing pica aiming for early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of complications [34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

History of Pica, Obesity, and Their Associations with Anemia in Pregnancy: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Ali,

Hassan,

Adam

2023

Life

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Anemia in pregnancy represents a major global health problem, and progress is insufficient to meet the World Health Assembly’s global nutrition target of halving anemia prevalence by 2030. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women in northern Sudan. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Almatamah, River Nile State, Sudan. Sociodemographic and obstetric data were collected using a questionnaire. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured using an automated hematology analyzer. Multivariate and simple linear regression analyses were performed. A total of 586 pregnant women were enrolled. Their median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 25 (21–30) years. The median (IQR) of body mass index (BMI) was 26.67 (24.34–30.04) kg/m2. The median (IQR) for Hb was 11.0 (10.0–11.9) g/dL. Of the 586 women, 271 (46.2%) had anemia (Hb: <11 gm/dL). In multivariate analysis, increasing BMI and obesity were significantly associated with decreased odds ratios (ORs) of anemia, while pica was associated with increased ORs of anemia. In conclusion, anemia in pregnant women is a major public health problem, as approximately half of pregnant women in northern Sudan have anemia. Increasing BMI and obesity were associated with a lower risk for anemia. More efforts are needed to improve the maternal nutritional status for good pregnancy outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

History of Pica, Obesity, and Their Associations with Anemia in Pregnancy: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Ali,

Hassan,

Adam

2023

Life

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“…There is a hypothesis that the consumption of earth substances serves as a compensatory mechanism for individuals experiencing deficiencies in iron, zinc, or calcium. As a result, those with the highest requirements for these essential nutrients are more likely to engage in geophagy practices [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surviving Critical Low Hemoglobin Levels and Pica

Juwairiyyah Fatima,

Nepal,

Ochieta

2023

Cureus

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Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency. Pica is commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). A case of a 40-year-old female who presented with a critical record of low hemoglobin (Hgb) (1.6 g/dL) with severe iron deficiency and pica with no lasting deficits despite such low hemoglobin is discussed in this article. The patient presented to the emergency room with complaints of weight loss, weakness, palpitation, fatigue, dysphagia, and on-and-off vomiting for about a year and severe menorrhagia for about one and a half years. She also has had pica for the past several years where she eats and chews toilet paper. Several of her female family members also have pica. She was found to have critically low hemoglobin of 1.6 g/dL and serum iron of 8 ug/dL and ferritin of less than 1 ng/mL. The patient was treated with six units of packed red blood cells and IV and oral iron supplementation. She was discharged with a hemoglobin of 7.3 g/dL. She was later found to have a 9.6 cm uterine mass that is consistent with leiomyoma (fibroid) in transvaginal ultrasound and is following up with a gynecologist for the definitive management. She did not have lasting deficits from the critically low hemoglobin and has stopped engaging in pica behavior.

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“…Certain patients with iron deficiency exhibit a strange inclination to instinctively seek out soil, which serves as an inorganic reservoir of iron in living organisms. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as geophagia, which is a very common form of pica, or the ingestion of non-food substances [6]. There is a prevailing view that the inorganic nutrient requirements, particularly iron, associated with pica are predominantly fulfilled by soil [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between "Geosminophilia" (Liking the Smell of Earth) and Pica in Patients With Iron Deficiency

Özbilen

2023

Cureus

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Background: Iron deficiency is a critical global health issue. One of the intriguing manifestations linked to iron deficiency is the presence of pica. The physiological relationship between the senses of smell and taste suggests that pica may be accompanied by an inclination towards the smell of earth (geosmin). The smell of geosmin is distinct and generally recognized as a pleasing scent. The objective of this study is to explore this potential association. The sign of liking the smell of earth will now be referred to as "geosminophilia", for the first time, in this study.Methods: Patients aged 18 years and above who visited the Iron Deficiency Outpatient Clinic between September 2021 and August 2022 were chosen for this cross-sectional study. The dataset excluded those with ferritin concentrations over 100 mcg/L and transferrin saturation over 45%. Demographics, presence of pica, history of geosminophilia, and laboratory findings were documented in physical and digital patient data. The descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent group comparison tests were performed.Results: With a mean age of 38.7±11.7 years, the study sample comprised 280 patients, of which 263 were female and 17 were male. Ninety-six patients (34.3%) had geosminophilia, while 29 patients (10.4%) had pica. The only factors that significantly distinguished the groups based on the presence of geosminophilia were gender (p=0.04) and age (p=0.02). Using the chi-square test to compare the presence of pica and geosminophilia, a statistically significant relationship was identified (p<0.001). Additionally, 72.4% of patients who presented with pica had geosminophilia. Pica was absent in 96% of patients who did not have geosminophilia. A total of 93.8% (15/16) of pica cases with geophagia subtype exhibited the presence of geosminophilia. A significant correlation (r=0.27, p<0.001) was also observed between geosminophilia and pica. Conclusion:In iron deficiency patients, geosminophilia and the presence of pica may accompany each other. Therefore, geosminophilia has the potential to be a new symptom of iron deficiency.

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The Association Between Pica and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Scoping Review

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

History of Pica, Obesity, and Their Associations with Anemia in Pregnancy: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

History of Pica, Obesity, and Their Associations with Anemia in Pregnancy: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Surviving Critical Low Hemoglobin Levels and Pica

Relationship Between "Geosminophilia" (Liking the Smell of Earth) and Pica in Patients With Iron Deficiency

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