Pica in Rural Obstetric Population: An Underestimated Nutritional Mystery

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence of pica during pregnancy, maternal hemoglobin levels at delivery and the association of pica with low birth weight and preterm birth. Study design A descriptive cross-sectional study. Subjects/setting Two hundred pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years admitted in labor room of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NKPSIMS. Study duration 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2013. Main outcome measures — maternal hemoglobin at delivery, mean birth weight and mean gestational age were compared in pica and no pica group. Statistical analysis Mean, percentage and chi-square test (for paired data). Results Seventeen percent of these pregnant women practiced pica. The most common pica substance that was consumed was chalk (44.1%) and clay (38.2%). Women in pica group had lower hemoglobin levels 8.63 ± 1.12 gm% (mean ± SD) at delivery than women who did not report pica (10.03 ± 0.96 gm%). There was no difference in mean birth weight and gestational age of neonates born to women with pica group and no pica group. Conclusion The findings suggest that pica practices are associated with significantly lower maternal hemoglobin levels at delivery, but are not associated with low birth weight and preterm birth. How to cite this article Kumare B, Somalwar S, Vijay N. Pica in Rural Obstetric Population: An Underestimated Nutritional Mystery. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2014;6(2):71-74.