title: Pica -- a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood soil pica is associated with, and can be a cause of, iron deficiency. It can also contribute to lead poisoning. Often pica is first recognised by the clinician during investigation of abdominal pain when an X-ray is performed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight the frequency of pica, and to discuss its association with iron deficiency and the risks of lead ingestion in areas of contaminated soil.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pica is probably more common than we think. In areas with polluted soil it is a particularly important diagnosis to make, as the ingestion of toxins, such as lead, will continue until the pica ceases. In areas where there is lead contamination, whole blood lead levels should be tested in children who exhibit pica.
authors.affiliation: Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Australia. donald.howarth@rcswa.edu.au
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howarth
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010842:Pica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D012987:Soil