Pica is defined as the compulsive, recurrent consumption of nonnutritive items. Pica behavior often occurs in individuals With developmental disabilities; therefore, education and clinical professionals may be required to participate in various aspects of management, including identification, assessment, and treatment. This article Will discuss several facets of the pica phenomenon, including the scope of human populations involved, the variety of items ingested, possible etiologies, health risks, and a number of treatment programs that are reported in the literature.
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