Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Pica: Eating Non-Food Stuff | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
My son, who will be three in May, has taken an interest in eating paper products. He loves to chew on napkins, copy paper, and toilet tissue. This just started about three weeks ago, and I am trying to decide why he is doing this. Please help!— 3tcharm in New Jersey | | | ANSWER |
February 26, 2002 | | | Dear 3tcharm,
The medical textbooks call the problem of eating things that are not food "pica." It's actually a pretty common problem. All babies go through a stage when they like putting everything they come across in their mouths. Usually this passes when they find more interesting things to do with the things (such as banging, building, drawing, or other ways of playing). When a child who hasn't shown this behavior for a while starts doing it again--as your son has--then you need to look for a cause.
Two simple causes need to be checked with a blood test. These are (1) low iron (that is, anemia) and (2) high blood lead. Lead exposure is a problem for most children who live or spend time in older homes, built before the 1970s (lead was outlawed from paint in 1978). But there are other sources, such as certain medications, pottery, and so on that may not be easy to recognize. So, with the appearance of pica, a blood test for lead and anemia is a good start.
Beyond that, it gets harder to find causes. Some children develop pica as a symptom of emotional distress. Some have developmental disorders. These would probably not show up with pica alone, but rather with other symptoms such as abnormal language, play, and relationships with peers. Some children may chew on non-food items simply because they are bored.
Lots of people chew on things such as erasers, pens, or their nails when they are upset, trying to concentrate, or just because it is pleasant. Pay attention to when your child chews on paper and when he doesn't. Think about any new stresses in his life (such as a new sibling, new school, parent with a new job, etc.). If you're concerned about possible emotional or developmental problems, by all means talk with his pediatrician or family doctor. If everything seems to be going well for your child, and the blood tests are normal, you may just have to chalk up the paper chewing to habit. Keeping paper out of his reach, and distracting him with more-interesting toys, may be a good way to help the habit go away.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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