PICA (Abnormal cravings) in children and homoeopathic management

Abstract

“Pica is defined as the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food items over a period of at least one month.” Pica is considered to be non – pathological up to 2 years of age, because they are in habit of exploring things while mouthing and teething. It is not a disease or disorder but behaviour that results from the interaction of biological, environmental and psychological factors. Pica is “Developmentally inappropriate” in children older than 18 – 24 months. Is an abnormal craving for non-nutritive items like clay, paper, chalk , crayons, baby powder, sand, soap, or food ingredients like raw potato and flour and also non-food items like earth, charcoal, raw rice, ice etc.