The Value of Iron Therapy in Pica

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Abstract
As doubt had been cast upon the reputed efficacy of iron in the treatment of pica, a double blind controlled trial was carried out in an endeavor to establish a firmer conclusion in the matter. One group of children received intramuscular iron and a control group of equal mean age were given intramuscular injections of normal saline. Three to 4 months later nearly all of those given iron had lost their pica, but it was still present in three-quarters of the controls. After 5 to 6 months there was no significant difference between the two groups and this failure of maintenance of cure may have been related to a fall in mean hemoglobin level which occurred. Five children who initially received saline and in whom pica was still present were given iron at 6 months and all lost their pica. Our experience is that pica can be cured by iron in nearly all cases, but that permanent cure may be dependent upon the maintenance of adequate hemoglobin levels.
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