Geophagia or other forms of pica may be associated with anemia.
Geophagia is ingestion of soil, clay or chalk.
Causes of anemia to investigate initially:
(1) iron deficiency (most common cause)
(2) other nutritional deficiencies (vitamin B12, folate, trace metals)
(3) splenomegaly (sequestration)
(4) parasitic infection
(5) gastrointestinal blood loss (including ingestion of foreign bodies)
If anemia persists after cessation of pica and correction of common causes of anemia, then other causes of anemia should be investigated.
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology
