![]() Paint chips and dirt can contain lead, so eating these items can result in lead poisoning. Depending on what the individual eats, pica can be quite dangerous and lead to infection, blockage, breaks or holes in the stomach or intestine, and choking. Individuals with ID have been reported to engage in pica with many different types of items including cigarette butts, paper, paint chips, rocks, sticks, and dirt, just to name a few. Anywhere from 6 to 26% of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) may engage in pica, and the behavior is more likely if the individual is diagnosed with autism or has more significant intellectual disabilities. In other words, pica involves eating items that are not food for at least one month, and the individual must be “too old” to be putting things into their mouth (i.e., individuals over the age of 2 years). Their lives often will depend on it.Pica is generally defined as the consumption of nonnutritive items, which is inappropriate for developmental age, continues for more than a month, and is not part of a culturally sanctioned practice. Just always stay vigilant with any individual diagnosed with a pica condition. Other complications may be perforation of the intestines or stomach with serious complications. It may become hard and must be removed either surgically or via a scope procedure. A bezoar is mass of indigestible material that a person cannot pass. Another thing that can occur is for the person not to be able to pass the ingested substance and a bezoar may form. Keep the poison control number handy at all times. If a person has ingested items, try to find out if it was the potpourri or if they drank the infuser oil. The person may also need increased supervision or 1:1 observation. ![]() Stuffed animals, pine cones and garland can cause choking hazards and glitter can cause aspiration issues. Eating glass Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas tree lights do not typically have a very good outcome for the person. Nutritional compromise is the number one concern in older children or pregnant women.ĭuring the holidays, if you provide services to anyone with pica, it can be a very dangerous time. A second consideration is that the person is trying to find anything to help soothe or ease the discomfort caused by the reflux. One thought is that by eating or even chewing, it causes an increase in saliva production which helps to neutralize the acid that has backed up into the esophagus from the reflux. Saliva has a more alkaline nature and stomach contents are much more acidic. Persons with gastroesophageal reflux will often display pica behaviors. Anything to satisfy that feeling of hunger is better than nothing.Ī frequent cause of concern in pica in adults or older children is the possibility of gastrointestinal distress. This can often be seen in cases of neglect when a person is simply not fed enough and they are hungry or being starved. Another reason pica may continue is simply overall malnutrition. For some reason, their brain and body are communicating that the nutrient they need may be gotten from these particular sources. Persons who have anemia, low iron or other deficient minerals in their blood may eat dirt or clay to obtain that nutrient. Nutritional compromise is the number one concern in older children or pregnant women. ![]() When pica behavior persists past infancy or very early childhood, we want to look at a couple of different things as the root cause of this behavior. As children grow out of that exploration phase of their life, we also expect to see them grow out of pica behavior. They see it, taste it and identify the texture. Infants and very young children explore and learn about their world by putting things in their mouths. This condition is quite common in very young children and is normal to a degree in that age group. Pica is defined as eating items or substances with no nutritional value. Most of you know what pica is and have cared for individuals who suffer from this condition.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |