Iron deficiency can be identified by cravings for inedible substances.

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Eating disorder is becoming a well-recognized symptom of iron deficiency.

Picnicism is an eating disorder characterized by unusual cravings for inedible substances. The condition has been described in medical journals for centuries, often in association with iron deficiency. However, the mechanisms underlying the link remain unclear.

Picnicism can be an important sign of iron deficiency that should never be ignored. This is based on a large number of reports describing the puzzling condition of children and young women with iron deficiency anemia.

A case was described of a 16-year-old girl who developed an unusual fondness for the smell of soil and for eating ice packs and then chewing chalk.

The patient was extremely pale and had frequent nosebleeds, but had no history of bleeding gums, easy bruising, or familial blood clotting disorders. Low hemoglobin levels confirmed that she was anemic.

It remains unclear why the patient preferred non-caloric foods that had no analgesic properties, such as rubber bands.

There is growing interest in the role of iron deficiency in pica, and many clinicians argue that it is a symptom of an eating disorder rather than a cause. However, some cases suggest otherwise.

Blood loss that occurs before the onset of pica suggests a pre-existing iron deficiency, as bleeding is the primary sign of the condition.