Pregnant women have strange cravings, is this a sign of possible iron deficiency?

Do you need strange objects when not pregnant? For example, like earth, flour, or ice cubes? If so, you may suffer from pica.

Pica is an eating disorder in which a person consumes objects or substances that are not natural food or nutritional value, for example soil, rice, flour, detergent, murals or ice cubes. There are various types of pica, the most common types are ground cravings, flour and ice cubes. This condition is common in pregnant women and children.

So far, the exact cause why some people experience pica is unknown. However, experts associate pica with hunger, micronutrient deficiency, indigestion, and increased exposure or susceptibility to poisons and pathogens.

One hypothesis also links the state of pica with iron deficiency. Cravings and consumer goods or substances that are not food are considered as mechanisms by which the body gets nutrients that are not met.

The relationship between pica and iron
One study revealed an association between pica symptoms, especially pica and ice cubes, and iron deficiency conditions. One of the first studies in this field was a 1960s study in which members of the US Air Force were examined at a clinic for iron deficiency anemia. It turns out that almost 60% of them have pica ice cubes. After receiving iron supplementation to treat anemia, the symptoms of fever disappear.

Another study in pregnant women also found that iron levels in pregnant women with symptoms of pica were low. Nearly half of the pregnant women studied had symptoms of pica in 18 types of non-food items, the coldest pica. This study also highlights the relationship between pica and iron deficiency.

This relationship concerns groups that are prone to iron deficiency anemia, also vulnerable to pica, such as women who are still menstruating, pregnant women and nursing mothers. In pregnant women, the need for iron increases relative to conditions not related to pregnancy to meet the baby's needs. As a result, pregnant women can suffer from a deficiency of important micronutrients, especially iron.

The need for iron in pregnant women increases rapidly during the second trimester of pregnancy. This is caused by an increase in blood volume and the amount of blood that passes through the placenta more and more. Whether or not enough iron is in this phase is very dependent on the amount of iron reserves before pregnancy and consumption of iron-rich foods during pregnancy.

Iron and pica deficiency anemia

The relationship between pica and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women is to determine which egg or chicken comes first. Iron deficiency anemia is associated with the appearance of pica. But pica itself can cause iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.

Consumption of things that have no nutritional value not only causes nutritional needs, but can also inhibit the absorption of all nutritious food in the intestine, causing malnutrition. Malnutrition in pregnant women affects not only the mother, but the baby she is carrying.

Iron needs of pregnant women can be met by food and supplements. Make sure you know how much iron you should eat and, if necessary, ask your obstetrician for iron supplements.

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