Geomelophagia. An unusual pica in iron-deficiency anemia. 1982

B E Johnson, and R L Stephens

A patient with lung cancer treated by radiation and in remission presented with a two-month history of compulsive eating of raw, chilled potatoes. Suspicion of a pica due to iron-deficiency anemia was confirmed after complete laboratory evaluation. The source of iron loss was found to be gastrointestinal bleeding. Therapy with iron sulfate was begun, with a subsequent increase in the hemoglobin level; the pica ceased within one week of initiation of therapy. If searched for, pica is a common manifestation of iron deficiency; however, this patient apparently represents the first report of geomelophagia. Appropriate investigation of compulsive eating habits might lead to the diagnosis of iron deficiency and also allay patients' anxieties toward their behavior.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008175 Lung Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the LUNG. Cancer of Lung,Lung Cancer,Pulmonary Cancer,Pulmonary Neoplasms,Cancer of the Lung,Neoplasms, Lung,Neoplasms, Pulmonary,Cancer, Lung,Cancer, Pulmonary,Cancers, Lung,Cancers, Pulmonary,Lung Cancers,Lung Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Lung,Neoplasm, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Cancers,Pulmonary Neoplasm
D010842 Pica The persistent eating of non-nutritive substances for a period of at least one month. Geophagia,Allotriophagy
D002294 Carcinoma, Squamous Cell A carcinoma derived from stratified SQUAMOUS EPITHELIAL CELLS. It may also occur in sites where glandular or columnar epithelium is normally present. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Carcinoma, Epidermoid,Carcinoma, Planocellular,Carcinoma, Squamous,Squamous Cell Carcinoma,Carcinomas, Epidermoid,Carcinomas, Planocellular,Carcinomas, Squamous,Carcinomas, Squamous Cell,Epidermoid Carcinoma,Epidermoid Carcinomas,Planocellular Carcinoma,Planocellular Carcinomas,Squamous Carcinoma,Squamous Carcinomas,Squamous Cell Carcinomas
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000747 Anemia, Hypochromic Anemia characterized by a decrease in the ratio of the weight of hemoglobin to the volume of the erythrocyte, i.e., the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration is less than normal. The individual cells contain less hemoglobin than they could have under optimal conditions. Hypochromic anemia may be caused by iron deficiency from a low iron intake, diminished iron absorption, or excessive iron loss. It can also be caused by infections or other diseases, therapeutic drugs, lead poisoning, and other conditions. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Miale, Laboratory Medicine: Hematology, 6th ed, p393) Chlorosis,Anemias, Hypochromic,Chloroses,Hypochromic Anemia,Hypochromic Anemias
D014675 Vegetables A food group comprised of EDIBLE PLANTS or their parts. Vegetable

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