You said you were concerned that your child eats things that are not food. You said that
your child has been doing this for at least 1 month. Your child may have had this problem on and
off over several months. The following are some of things that infants or young children with this
problem tend to eat:
Paint
Plaster
String
Hair
Cloth
Some children with this problem also have learning problems. It may also be a
fairly common problem for preschool children.
Your child may have a problem called Pica. Most children with this problem
eat things that are not food for several months. Many times their problems get better
on their own. Your child's doctor will tell you the best way to deal with Pica.
American Academy of Pediatrics (1996). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care.
Elk Grove Village, Illinois: Author.
American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fourth Edition (1994).
