Sponge eating: is it an obsessive compulsive disorder or an unusual form of pica?

Acta Paediatr. 2007 Dec;96(12):1853-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00516.x. Epub 2007 Oct 11.

Abstract

Association of pica, iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and celiac disease (CD) have been reported in the literature. An unusual but completely reversible form of pica in the form obsessive compulsive sponge eating (pervasive disorder) was reported as an odd manifestation of IDA and CD.

Conclusion: The medical practice is full of challenges and complexity; and clinicians need to be vigilant all the time in their practice to appreciate unusual and rare manifestations of common clinical conditions like IDA and CD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / complications*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Celiac Disease / complications*
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iron / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Pica / complications*
  • Pica / diagnosis

Substances

  • Iron