Pica its Related Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnant Women in Kermanshah

Introduction: In the literature Pica is reported to be prevalent in pregnant women, who, reported to have eaten substances that were clearly not foods but some thing which has been defined as “Pica”. Pica is an eating disorder, which may cause severe problems such as chemicals or heavy metals (e.g. lead) toxicity, intestinal obstruction and iron deficiency anaemia. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of pica and its relationship with iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women who referred to Community Oriented Medical Services of Kermanshah during 2001.

Materials and Methods: After consecutive sampling, 300 pregnant women were recruited. Data, including age, education, parity, age of gestation, smoking, iron supplementation, having Pica during pregnancy and family history of Pica were collected via interview and questionnaire. Statistical analysis carried out using X2 and Fisher Exact Test. 

Results: In this study the mode  age of women was 25.92 years . The prevalence of pica among the studied population was 22.3% and ice was the most common non-nutritive substance. Three women (4.47%) in Pica group were anaemic. There were significant correlation between Pica and education level and anaemia (p<0.005). However, there were no significant correlation between pica and parity, occupation, gestational age, iron supplement, smoking, familial history of pica and maternal age.

Conclusion: As Pica is not limited to culture, sex or socio-economic and ethnic background it is necessary to raise public awareness of the adverse effects of this behavior. Primary health care staffs and dieticians should ask pregnant women with anaemia about pica and should counsel women who report pica regarding the health risks associated with it.