Pica Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 12-01-2015;37(12):571-577
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320150005419
To evaluate the nutritional and psychological factors associated with the occurrence of the practice of pica in pregnant women attending a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The study was based on a descriptive design with exploratory features, and conducted on 13 adult and adolescent pregnant women aged 16 to 40 years with a diagnosis of pica in the current pregnancy. Pica was diagnosed by a nutritionist in a standardized interview situation, when questions about the occurrence and frequency of pica, and types of substance ingestion were investigated. After signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF), all participants were evaluated by a nutritionist and seven of them were submitted to psychological assessment with standardized instruments to evaluate stress and anxiety, and to assess coping strategies.
The type of pica most frequently reported was pagophagia (30.8%) and the consumption of fruit with salt (30.8%). The most prevalent coping strategies were "religious practice-focused" and "seeking social support", both presented by 42% of the pregnant women. We observed the occurrence of some degree of stress and anxiety in all pregnant women, as well as comorbidities (69.2%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (84.6%).
Considering that pica may be associated with increased perinatal risk, it is very important to investigate this disorder during prenatal care, and to dopt obstetric, psychological and nutritional preventive practices to reduce the complications for mother and fetus.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 12-01-2015;37(12):571-577
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320150005419
To evaluate the nutritional and psychological factors associated with the occurrence of the practice of pica in pregnant women attending a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The study was based on a descriptive design with exploratory features, and conducted on 13 adult and adolescent pregnant women aged 16 to 40 years with a diagnosis of pica in the current pregnancy. Pica was diagnosed by a nutritionist in a standardized interview situation, when questions about the occurrence and frequency of pica, and types of substance ingestion were investigated. After signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF), all participants were evaluated by a nutritionist and seven of them were submitted to psychological assessment with standardized instruments to evaluate stress and anxiety, and to assess coping strategies.
The type of pica most frequently reported was pagophagia (30.8%) and the consumption of fruit with salt (30.8%). The most prevalent coping strategies were "religious practice-focused" and "seeking social support", both presented by 42% of the pregnant women. We observed the occurrence of some degree of stress and anxiety in all pregnant women, as well as comorbidities (69.2%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (84.6%).
Considering that pica may be associated with increased perinatal risk, it is very important to investigate this disorder during prenatal care, and to dopt obstetric, psychological and nutritional preventive practices to reduce the complications for mother and fetus.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 10-22-2009;31(9):440-446
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000900004
PURPOSE: to verify the occurrence ratio of pica in pregnant women and its impact on the mother and newborn health. METHODS: prospective study with 227 adult pregnant women and their newborns treated at the Maternity School of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, between 2005 and 2006. Pica has been considered as the ingestion of inedible substances or atypical food combinations. The data was collected was done by medical chart review and interview. RESULTS: Pica was referred to by 14.4% of the women, 42.1% of whom practiced it daily. The onset occurred in the second gestational trimester in 46.7% of the cases, and, in the third trimester, in 30% of them. Among the alleged reasons, 65% of the women were unable to give them, 15% declared relief of nausea and heartburn and 10% reported reduced stress and anxiety. The practice in the previous gestation/puerperium was referred to by 15% of the women. Pica was not associated with the maternal anthropometric condition, the skin color, the marital status, the maternal schooling and the presence of parasitosis. There was no difference between the average of the total family income and the number of gestations for the women who did or did not have pica. Pica was associated with gestational anemia (p<0.009) and gestational intercurrences (OR=3.5; CI95%=1.6-7.9). As for the baby, pica did not interfere in the health parameters at birth: weight, gestational age and intercurrences. CONCLUSIONS: pica must be investigated at prenatal assistance and recognized as a risk factor for the mother's health.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 10-22-2009;31(9):440-446
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000900004
PURPOSE: to verify the occurrence ratio of pica in pregnant women and its impact on the mother and newborn health. METHODS: prospective study with 227 adult pregnant women and their newborns treated at the Maternity School of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, between 2005 and 2006. Pica has been considered as the ingestion of inedible substances or atypical food combinations. The data was collected was done by medical chart review and interview. RESULTS: Pica was referred to by 14.4% of the women, 42.1% of whom practiced it daily. The onset occurred in the second gestational trimester in 46.7% of the cases, and, in the third trimester, in 30% of them. Among the alleged reasons, 65% of the women were unable to give them, 15% declared relief of nausea and heartburn and 10% reported reduced stress and anxiety. The practice in the previous gestation/puerperium was referred to by 15% of the women. Pica was not associated with the maternal anthropometric condition, the skin color, the marital status, the maternal schooling and the presence of parasitosis. There was no difference between the average of the total family income and the number of gestations for the women who did or did not have pica. Pica was associated with gestational anemia (p<0.009) and gestational intercurrences (OR=3.5; CI95%=1.6-7.9). As for the baby, pica did not interfere in the health parameters at birth: weight, gestational age and intercurrences. CONCLUSIONS: pica must be investigated at prenatal assistance and recognized as a risk factor for the mother's health.