Pica as a cause of iron deficiency anemia or the other way around? A look at the cause of iron deficiency anemia in young children

Abstract

We describe a young boy with the unusual habit of eating his own clothes and a severe form of iron deficiency anemia. Both phenomena have been mentioned in the same sentence for ages, but their exact relationship has never been shown. In this case report we will review the current literature on the etiology of pica and iron deficiency anemia and we will clarify the existing hypothesis. We want to raise awareness on the potential dangerous consequences of pica behavior because the diagnosis is still often missed.