title: Baking soda pica associated with rhabdomyolysis and cardiomyopathy in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pica is a commonly underappreciated disorder in pregnancy that can lead to several complications, including severe metabolic derangements and other adverse outcomes. We report a case of baking soda pica in pregnancy associated with both rhabdomyolysis and cardiomyopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multigravid woman at 37 weeks of gestation presented with weakness and severe hypokalemia. She subsequently had development of rhabdomyolysis and presumed peripartum cardiomyopathy. After delivery, it was discovered that the patient had a long history of consumption of large quantities of baking soda. Her condition improved with cessation of the pica.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for pica in pregnancy because it can lead to complex diagnostic challenges and pregnancy complications. The diagnosis should be considered in a patient with unexplained metabolic abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Scolari Childress
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000139:chemically induced; D010842:Pica / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate