Amylophagia and Toxemia of Pregnancy ∗

Abstract

Summary

Interviews were conducted of 500 term pregnant patients to ascertain possible amylophagia. Charts were reviewed to detect the presence of toxemia of pregnancy. No caucasian patients admitted to amylophagia. Of 425 Negro patients 120, or 23.8%, admitted to amylophagia. Of the Negro patients, 18.6% demonstrated toxemia. Starch eaters had an incidence of toxemia of 20.8%, nonstarch eaters had an incidence of 17.7%. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of toxemia among amylophagia practitioners and nonpractitioners. A correlation cannot be made between the possible deleterious effects of the varying forms of pica.