Beware if your child eats dirt!
Pica Syndrome is caused by a lack of love.
Pica Syndrome, which manifests as eating or licking non-nutritive objects such as soil, stone, lime, glass and soap, is mostly seen in children. Stating that the underlying psychological cause of pica is the lack of love and undeveloped sense of trust, experts said, "Maternal deprivation, parental rejection, weakened parent-child relationship, disorganized family structure, unrest in the family, abuse are the biggest stress factors."
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Child Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Elagöz Yüksel said that Pica Syndrome is an eating disorder seen in the form of eating / licking objects that are perceived unusual in society and are not nutrients.
Stating that these objects can be soil, stone, lime, lumber, glass, hair, soap, paper, rope, eraser, paint, plastic materials, pieces of clothing, burnt matches, Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Elagöz Yüksel said, "This condition does not include the behavior of children under 2-3 years of age throwing inappropriate substances into the mouth and trying to eat. The disease may continue for years or may disappear spontaneously in a short time."
MOST COMMON IN CHILDREN
Stating that although Pica Syndrome can be seen at any age, it is most commonly seen in children, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Elagöz Yüksel said, "The three most basic reasons can be counted as nutritional deficiencies, neurological development disorders or psychological reasons. Iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin B1, vitamin B6 deficiencies are the most commonly detected nutritional deficiencies. Not rarely, mental retardation can be seen in individuals with neurological/psychiatric disorders such as autism, epilepsy, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder. It has also been reported to accompany medical conditions such as deafness and neuroleptic drug use. In some people, it can be observed together with hair or skin plucking behaviors."
DEPRIVATION OF LOVE IS THE BIGGEST FACTOR
Stating that the underlying psychological cause of Pica Syndrome is especially the child's upbringing in an environment deprived of love and undeveloped sense of trust, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Elagöz Yüksel said, "The most common psychological stress factors have been found to be maternal deprivation, parental rejection, weakened parent-child relationship, disorganized family structure, unrest in the family and abuse."
CAN HAVE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES
Stating that Pica Syndrome can lead to very negative consequences if left untreated and that these consequences depend on the characteristics of the eaten object, Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Elagöz Yüksel said the following:
"Symptoms such as anemia can be seen as a result of malnutrition as a result of eating non-nutritious objects. Disturbances especially related to the digestive system can be noticed, these can be tooth decay, bad odor in the mouth, dehydration. If the ingested object cannot be digested, bezoar, intestinal obstruction or even intestinal perforation may occur. Depending on the properties of the object, metal poisoning such as lead poisoning may occur. The unhygienic nature of the substances eaten is also a problem. The patient may get infections or parasitic diseases from what they eat. If the patient is a child, these harms can increase even more. Pica syndrome can have dangerous consequences, including death, especially in children with neurodevelopmental disorders who do not know what is edible or inedible. Apart from the medical consequences, if pica behavior is in the public eye, it can lead to social exclusion and social isolation."
HEED THESE SUGGESTIONS
Stating that families should consult a doctor for a complete systemic examination of the child without delay if they detect symptoms of Pika Syndrome in their children, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mine Elagöz Yüksel said, "As a result of medical examination and evaluations, it is necessary to investigate whether there are negative consequences of Pika Syndrome; nutrient deficiencies should be investigated for the causes, and the child's psycho-social and neurological development should be evaluated. Although there is no test to define Pica Syndrome, laboratory tests may be required to investigate the underlying causes and consequences. In particular, the underlying causes of Pica Syndrome should be analyzed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and medical treatment and psychoeducation or behavioral therapy options should be reviewed if necessary."