Pregnancy and sickle cell anemia are two conditions that have connections to pica. Certain medications increase the risk of someone developing pica or similar behaviors.

Causes Pica is currently recognized as a mental disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). According to the DSM-5, mineral deficiencies are occasionally …

Oct 24, 2024 · Pica is an eating disorder marked by a persistent feeling or craving that causes you to eat things that have no nutritional value, such as dirt or paint. Most people with the …

Oct 22, 2025 · This article explains pica symptoms and health issues that may follow the ingestion of non-food material. It explains common types of pica and their causes, as well as pica …

Dec 10, 2025 · Just like other eating disorders, there is no singular cause for pica. Nutritional deficiencies like anemia or imbalances associated with pregnancy or dieting can be a …

Pica is a disorder characterized by regularly eating things that are not food. Usually, what people with pica eat does not harm them, but sometimes what they eat causes complications, such as …

Pica - Etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, signs, diagnosis & prognosis from the MSD Manuals - Medical Professional Version.

There is limited understanding of what causes pica, however iron-deficiency anemia and malnutrition are thought to be two of the most common causes of pica, followed by pregnancy. …

Dec 9, 2025 · Pica causes cravings for non-food items like dirt or ice. It often affects children, pregnant people, and those with nutritional deficiencies.

Apr 24, 2023 · What causes pica? There’s no single cause of pica. In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be associated with pica.