title: Gestational iron deficiency is associated with pica behaviors in adolescents.
abstract: A relation between pica (the craving and purposive consumption of nonfood items) during pregnancy and anemia is observed frequently. However, few studies related pica behaviors to biomarkers of iron status, and little is known about pica prevalence in U.S. pregnant adolescents. To address this, we undertook a longitudinal study examining iron status and pica behaviors among a group of 158 pregnant adolescents (aged ≤18 y). Approximately two-thirds of the participants were African American and 25% were Hispanic. Maternal iron status indicators [hemoglobin, soluble transferrin receptor, serum ferritin (SF), total body iron (TBI), and serum hepcidin] were assessed during pregnancy (18.5-37.3 wk) and at delivery. Pica behavior was assessed up to 3 times across gestation. Among the 158 adolescents, 46% reported engaging in pica behavior. Substances ingested included ice (37%), starches (8%), powders (4%), and soap (3%). During pregnancy, mean SF [geometric mean: 13.6 μg/L (95% CI: 11.0, 17.0 μg/L)], TBI (mean ± SD: 2.5 ± 4.2 mg/kg), and hepcidin [geometric mean: 19.1 μg/L (95% CI: 16.3, 22.2 μg/L)] concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the pica group (n = 72) than values observed among the non-pica group [SF, geometric mean: 21.1 μg/L (95% CI: 18.0, 25.0 μg/L); TBI, mean ± SD: 4.3 ± 3.5 mg/kg; hepcidin, geometric mean: 27.1 μg/L (95%: 23.1, 32.1 μg/L); n = 86]. Although additional studies must address the etiology of these relations, this practice should be screened for, given its association with low iron status and because many of the substances ingested may be harmful. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01019902.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and.
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lumish
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and.
authors.forename: Sera L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and.
authors.forename: Sunmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pressman
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.
authors.forename: Ronnie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guillet
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; and koo4@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberly O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010842:Pica / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D064451:Hepcidins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron