Sodium chloride pica secondary to iron-deficiency anemia

Am J Kidney Dis. 1985 Jan;5(1):67-8. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(85)80140-2.

Abstract

A young woman was referred for nephrologic evaluation of hypertension and a curious desire for table salt. Suspicion of iron-deficiency anemia arose only after it was determined that sodium balance was achievable during supervised sodium restriction. This salt craving abated within 2 weeks of initiation of iron replacement therapy. Although pica is a common manifestation of iron deficiency, this appears to be the first reported case of salt pica secondary to iron deficiency.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Hypochromic / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypernatremia / etiology
  • Pica / etiology*
  • Sodium Chloride*

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride