| Item of pica craving | Potential clinical sequelae |
| Earth, including soil or other earth-rich items such as adobe, clay preparations, pottery, or bean stones | - Low gestational weight gain
- Constipation, intestinal obstruction
- Micronutrient and trace mineral deficiencies
- Hypokalemia and other electrolyte abnormalities
- Exposure to toxins (eg, lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, organic pollutants)
- Infection (microbial, parasites found in soil, including Toxoplasma and Toxocara)
- Reduced effectiveness of medications
|
| Raw starches, including cornstarch, laundry starch, raw rice, flour, raw wheat | - Excessive weight gain
- Poor glucose control in women with diabetes
- Abdominal discomfort
- Jaw pain, dental damage
|
| Baking powder, baking soda | - Electrolyte abnormalities
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Hypertension, edema
|
| Ice | - Low gestational weight gain
- Jaw pain, dental damage
- Hyponatremia
|
| Foam, cloth | - Bezoar
- Intestinal obstruction
|
| Paper, cardboard | - Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Exposure to toxins in ink
|
| Toothpaste | - Fluoride toxicity
- Fluorosis in offspring
- Hypertension, edema
|
| Coffee grounds | |
| Cigarette filters | |
| Chemicals, paint | - Nausea, vomiting
- Lead toxicity
|
| Bleach | - Nausea, vomiting
- Internal burns
|
| Chalk | |
| Burnt matches | - Hyperkalemia
- Neonatal hemolysis
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Hepatic injury
|
| Mothballs (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) | - Fetus/newborn: Methemoglobinemia, hypotension, hemolytic anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia; other hepatic, renal, and respiratory complications
- Mother: Hematologic, gastrointestinal, renal, neurologic, hepatic, central nervous system, and cardiorespiratory effects
|
| Hair | |
| Laundry detergent | |
| Talc | - Cough, oropharyngeal irritation
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure
- Fever
|
