Pica: How to Care for Your Child

Pica is when someone craves and eats things that aren't food. It can happen for different reasons and can last a month or sometimes longer. Children with pica (PIE-kuh) usually get better as they grow older. By helping your child avoid eating things they shouldn't, you can help keep them well.

• Give your child any prescribed medicine or supplements as directed by the health care provider.

• Keep non-food items that your child craves out of reach in closed cabinets or drawers that are secured with child safety locks.

• Supervise your child around craved items that you can't put out of reach (such as dirt).

• If you think your child has ingested something harmful, call Poison Control (800-222-1222) right away.

• Schedule any follow-up visits as directed.

Your child:

• still craves non-food items after several weeks of treatment

• has constipation (is pooping less than usual or has dry, hard, or difficult-to-pass poops)

• has diarrhea or vomiting

• has belly pain

Your child:

• eats something poisonous and Poison Control (800-222-1222) tells you to go to the ER

• has severe belly pain with or without vomiting

• has a seizure

• is unable to poop (have a bowel movement)

Isn't it normal for kids to put things in their mouth? Young kids often put non-food items (like grass or toys) in their mouths because they're curious about the world around them. But kids with pica go beyond that and keep craving and eating things that aren't food even when parents try to get them to stop.

The non-food items that kids with pica crave vary, but may include things like dirt, clay, paint chips, chalk, feces (poop), plaster, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, glue, hair, sand, ice, or soap. 

Why do some kids have pica? Doctors don't always know why someone has pica. Any child can have pica, but it's more common in kids with developmental problems like autism. It also can affect kids who aren't getting enough nutrition, have a lot of stress, or have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Why does pica cause a problem? Eating non-food items can make it harder for kids to get the nutrients they need from food. It may also put a child at risk for lead or mercury poisoning, bowel problems, intestinal blockage or bleeding, tooth damage, or parasites. 

How is pica treated? Treatment for pica includes teaching your child about what is safe to eat and keeping non-food items that your child craves out of reach. The health care provider might recommend a supplement for nutritional deficiencies (such as not enough iron or zinc). Sometimes, working with a psychologist or other mental health provider can help.