Magnesium Carbonate Pica: An Unusual Case of Iron Deficiency
Authors: PHILIP D. LEMING
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Brief Reports1 May 1981Magnesium Carbonate Pica: An Unusual Case of Iron DeficiencyPHILIP D. LEMING, M.D., DAVID C. REED, B.S., ORLANDO J. MARTELO, M.D.PHILIP D. LEMING, M.D., DAVID C. REED, B.S., ORLANDO J. MARTELO, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-94-5-660 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptPatients with iron deficiency, in addition to anemia, may have unusual dietary cravings termed pica. Although this is affected by social and cultural norms, patients may crave such substances as dirt, clay, ice or starch. We report an unusual case of pica associated with severe iron deficiency.A 74-year-old black woman presented with fatigue, congestive heart failure, severe microcytic hypochromic anemia, negative history for blood loss, and negative stool for occult blood. Hemoglobin was 2.7 g/dL; hematocrit, 8.7%; erythrocyte count, 1.33 × 106cells/mm3; leukocyte count, 9500 cells/mm3; platelet count 534 000 cells/mm3; reticulocyte count, 3.8%; and mean corpuscular volume...References1. OSKI F. The nonhematologic manifestations of iron deficiency. Am J Dis Child 1979;133:315-22. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. ROSELLE H. Association of laundry starch and clay ingestion with anemia in New York City. Arch Intern Med. 1970;125:57-61. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. VERMEERFRATE DD. Geophagia in rural Mississippi: environmental and cultural contexts and nutritional implications. Am J Clin Nutr. 1979;32:2129-35. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. REYNOLDSBINDERMILLERCHANGHORAN RHMWS. Pagophagia and iron deficiency anemia. Ann Intern Med. 1968;68:435-40. LinkGoogle Scholar5. MENGELCARTERHORTON CWE. Geophagia with iron deficiency and hypokalemia-cachexia africana. Arch Intern Med. 1964;114:470-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. OKCUOGLUARCASOYMINNICH AAV. Pica in Turkey: I. The incidence and association with anemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 1966;19:125-31. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. CAVDARARCASOY AA. Hematologic and biochemical studies of Turkish children with pica. Clin Pediatr. 1972;11:215-23. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. MINNICHOKCUOGLUTARCON VAY. Pica in Turkey: II. Effect of clay upon iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr. 1968;21:78-86. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Hematology-Oncology Division University of Cincinnati Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byIron deficiency anemia induced by magnesium overuse: a case reportMore Drug Idiosyncrasies in End-Stage Renal DiseasePica, iron deficiency, and the medical historyA proposed mechanism for cardboard-induced iron-deficiency anemiaA proposed mechanism for cardboard-induced iron-deficiency anemiaPica and in Cross-Cultural PerspectivePica: Current perspectivesIron Deficiency and PicaJORGE J. GONZALEZ, M.D.Clay Ingestion: A Rare Cause of HypokalemiaJORGE J. GONZALEZ, M.D., WILLIAM OWENS, M.D., PETER C. UNGARO, M.D., EMILE E. WERK Jr, M.D., PETER W. WENTZ, Ph.D. 1 May 1981Volume 94, Issue 5Page: 660-660KeywordsBloodHemoglobinIron deficiencyIron deficiency anemiaMagnesiumMean corpuscular volumePlateletsReticulocytesSevere blood lossStarches Issue Published: 1 May 1981 Copyright & Permissions© 1981 American College of PhysiciansPDF downloadLoading ...