Childhood Pica in the Context of Family Stress and Environmental Deprivation: a case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1679-9836.v104i2e-233209Keywords:
Pica, Childhood eating disorder, Environmental deprivation, Child Psychiatry, Multidisciplinary intervention, Behavioral therapy, Family dynamicsAbstract
Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive substances, inappropriate for the individual’s developmental stage and cultural norms. Its etiology includes biological deficiencies, psychological stressors, and environmental challenges. This report describes the case of a seven-year-old girl with a three-year history of sponge and foam ingestion, in the context of familial and environmental stress, including economic hardship and parental health issues. The intervention included psychopharmacology, weekly behavioral therapy sessions, psychoeducational activities, and environmental enrichment, which resulted in improvements in her symptoms and emotional well-being. These results align with previous findings highlighting the importance of tailored psychosocial interventions in the management of pica.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Tiago A. Soares, Daniela S. Simões, Daniela O. Couto
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