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What Causes The Child To Eat Non Food Items?
My nephew has started eating pencil erasers. He had stopped a month ago, but now it s back. His mother passed away a year ago. He claims that he s hungry all the time - even if he just ate. He is in first grade. I have let him know that eating anything that isn t food can make him sick. He said he would stop...
Wed, 4 May 2016
Hello,
I can understand your concern for your nephew. The disorder that makes people eating non food items is called Pica and it is very commonly found in children.
Sometimes is it harmless and goes away on its own while sometimes it indicates a nutritional deficiency such as iron, zinc etc. or a psychological reason (as he has lost his mother recently).
What you can do is, keep an eye on him for some time. You can also talk to his teachers to keep an eye on him regarding this in school. If he leaves his habit in 2-3 weeks, then there is nothing to worry about. However, if he does not stop, then you should consult a pediatrician for him to find out the underlying cause of Pica.
I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if I can answer your any other concerns.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I can understand your concern for your nephew. The disorder that makes people eating non food items is called Pica and it is very commonly found in children.
Sometimes is it harmless and goes away on its own while sometimes it indicates a nutritional deficiency such as iron, zinc etc. or a psychological reason (as he has lost his mother recently).
What you can do is, keep an eye on him for some time. You can also talk to his teachers to keep an eye on him regarding this in school. If he leaves his habit in 2-3 weeks, then there is nothing to worry about. However, if he does not stop, then you should consult a pediatrician for him to find out the underlying cause of Pica.
I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if I can answer your any other concerns.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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