pica and Poisoning

Geophagia, the eating of dirt, usually clay, has been recorded in every region of the world both as idiosyncratic behavior of isolated individuals and as culturally prescribed behavior of particular societies. The behavior has long been viewed as pathological by the medical profession, and it has been claimed to be both a cause and a consequence of anemia. While there is now reason to believe that the consumption of some clays may interfere with the absorption of elemental iron, zinc, and potassium, there is little evidence for the position that geophagia, especially its culturally prescribed form, is caused by anemia. These and other maladaptive consequences of clay consumption may be offset by the adaptive value of its antidiarrheal, detoxification, and mineral supplementation potentials.

Topics: Adaptation, Biological; Anemia; Female; Humans; Pica; Poisoning; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Soil

To provide an overview of the current state of knowledge concerning the determinants and consequences of geophagy during pregnancy.. Bibliographic searching of articles published in English or French and included in the Scopus database, and reporting of our experience with the management of geophagic pregnant women at the maternity unit of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni (French Guiana).. Geophagy is a little known practice initiated by various stimuli, including nausea and iron deficiency. Sustained geophagy during pregnancy has many consequences, due to complex ionic interactions with the digestive tract. Clay consumption may lead to iron deficiency, which may even be life-threatening in cases of post-partum haemorrhage in severely anaemic women. For the foetus, in addition to the known risk of preterm birth associated with maternal anaemia, maternal geophagy may lead to overexposure to heavy metals, including aluminium in particular. This practice should therefore be considered potentially damaging to the neurological development of the child. The ionic imbalances caused by the ingestion of clay over a long period should be systematically evaluated and corrected, given the secondary malabsorption they may cause, often necessitating parenteral feeding.

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Female; French Guiana; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Humans; Pica; Poisoning; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications

Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Pica; Poisoning

Fifty pre-school children thought to have ingested potentially poisonous substances were studied, together with 50 controls. An interview of each child and mother was undertaken in the home situation. Seven at-risk factors make a child more likely to ingest a toxic substance. These are: greater accommodation changes by the family, father having had a large number of jobs, paternal past history of accidents, child's exploring ability, child's past history of poisonings, an abnormal appetite in children older than two years old and lower stimulation indices in 2-5 year-olds. Attention is drawn to the similarity between many of these factors and childhood abuse and neglect.

Topics: Accidents, Home; Child, Preschool; Family Characteristics; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; New Zealand; Pica; Poisoning; Recurrence; Sociology

These agents act as anticholinesterases. Signs of toxicity are: overactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, abdominal cramps and copious secretions. Large doses may cause sustained depolarization of the motor end plate, leading to muscular paralysis. Death may ensue from respiratory failure. The extensive and often careless use of insecticides, fungicides and pesticides makes organophosphates a particular pediatric hazard. Atropine and pralidoxime chloride are effective for therapy.

Topics: Accidents; Atropine; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Female; Humans; Insecticides; Organophosphate Poisoning; Parathion; Pica; Poisoning; Pralidoxime Compounds

Topics: Acceleration; Accidents; Accidents, Traffic; Asphyxia; Child; Child, Preschool; Deficiency Diseases; Drowning; England; Environmental Health; Female; Fires; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lead Poisoning; Male; Mortality; Pediatrics; Pica; Poisoning; Radiation Effects; Wales

Topics: Aged; Child, Preschool; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Pica; Poisoning; Pregnancy

Topics: Arsenic Poisoning; Cadmium Poisoning; Chelating Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Copper; Deferoxamine; Dimercaprol; Edetic Acid; Gold; Humans; Infant; Iron; Lead Poisoning; Mercury Poisoning; Metals; Paint; Penicillamine; Pica; Poisoning; Thallium

Topics: Child, Preschool; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Infant; Pica; Poisoning

Topics: Accidents, Home; Affective Symptoms; Aggression; Asphyxia; Child; Child Care; Child Psychiatry; Child, Preschool; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Parent-Child Relations; Pica; Poisoning; Psychology