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What Causes The Habit Of Eating Paper In A Toddler?
my 22 month old grandson loves to eat tissues, toilet pap]per, paper anything he is a picky eater and still doesn t sleep through the night. at hi 18 month check up he was at the 50th % for his height and weight any suggestions? he just started this about ten weeks ago I don t live near by but have a good relationship with my daughter and son-in-law, so far
Wed, 20 Jan 2016
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Eating of paper and other peculiar objects occurs in iron deficiency.
In severe iron deficiency the toddler will have urge to eat non-edible objects.
The growth of the child is also stunted since his weight and height are at 50th percentile.
This suggests that the child is have deficient growth probably due to multiple deficiency which includes iron also.
I suggest you to consult a pediatrician for clinical assessment and investigations to look for various deficiency including iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency is corrected by iron supplements for specified period of time.
Once the iron deficiency is corrected, the habit of eating peculiar objects will disappear.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Eating of paper and other peculiar objects occurs in iron deficiency.
In severe iron deficiency the toddler will have urge to eat non-edible objects.
The growth of the child is also stunted since his weight and height are at 50th percentile.
This suggests that the child is have deficient growth probably due to multiple deficiency which includes iron also.
I suggest you to consult a pediatrician for clinical assessment and investigations to look for various deficiency including iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency is corrected by iron supplements for specified period of time.
Once the iron deficiency is corrected, the habit of eating peculiar objects will disappear.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
its time for you to take the toddler to a good paediatrician to get evaluated before its late. It looks like he might be having developmental delay and a paediatrician can help you.The child might have a varied set of problems like Pica ,where a child takes in non nutritive substances through mouth.It can lead to impairement in both physical and mental development.The reason may range from nutritional disturbances ,emotional deprivation,neglect from parents,some medical diseases,parasitosis.Some times it can lead to surgical emergencies also.
So consult a paediatrician soon.
Hope i was able to solve your queiry.
its time for you to take the toddler to a good paediatrician to get evaluated before its late. It looks like he might be having developmental delay and a paediatrician can help you.The child might have a varied set of problems like Pica ,where a child takes in non nutritive substances through mouth.It can lead to impairement in both physical and mental development.The reason may range from nutritional disturbances ,emotional deprivation,neglect from parents,some medical diseases,parasitosis.Some times it can lead to surgical emergencies also.
So consult a paediatrician soon.
Hope i was able to solve your queiry.
I find this answer helpful
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