Abstract
Pica, where the patient eats non-food items such as mud, clay, varnish etc., is a common behavioural problem seen in children, pregnant women and the mentally retarded. However sponge pica is a very rare variation. We report a case of a 5-year-old Omani girl, who presented with sponge pica since the age of two years, with recent abdominal pain. Investigations showed anaemia, elevated liver enzymes and normal intelligence. There was no evidence of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Both clinical and laboratory findings showed complete recovery after a few weeks of oral iron therapy. Her appetite improved, and she started to gain weight. No recurrence was observed when followed up after two years. Awareness is necessary to detect and treat pica as early as possible to prevent its complications.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/2075-0528.2608
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 5(1), 49-50
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Al-Sharbati, M. M., Zaidan, Z. A., Al-Khalili, A., & Khalid (2025). A strange type of Pica. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 5(1), 49-50. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2608
MLA 9
Al-Sharbati, Marwan M., et al. "A strange type of Pica." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 5, no. 1, 2025, pp. 49-50. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2608.
Chicago (author–date)
Al-Sharbati, Marwan M., Ziad AJ. Zaidan, Ala’Adin Al-Khalili, and Khalid. 2025. "A strange type of Pica." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 5 (1): 49-50. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2608.
Harvard
Al-Sharbati, M. M., Zaidan, Z. A., Al-Khalili, A. and Khalid (2025) 'A strange type of Pica', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 5(1), pp. 49-50. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.2608.
Vancouver
Al-Sharbati MM, Zaidan ZA, Al-Khalili A, Khalid. A strange type of Pica. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;5(1):49-50. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.2608
IEEE
M. M. Al-Sharbati, Z. A. Zaidan, A. Al-Khalili, and Khalid, "A strange type of Pica," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 49-50, 2025, doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.2608.