SAEDNEWS: 8-Year-Old Girl Named Jessica Walker Develops Unusual Compulsion to Eat Objects from the Ground Due to Pica Disorder
According to Saed News website, citing Borna, some rare diseases are not only uncommon but also very unusual. These conditions can cause distressing behaviors in patients. One such rare disorder is pica syndrome, which has been diagnosed in an 8-year-old girl named Jessica Walker.
This girl has suffered from the syndrome of eating non-food substances since birth. She shows a strong desire to consume all kinds of objects found on the ground, such as toys, sand, protective plastic bags for items, and even animal food.
It is also reported that this 8-year-old child avoids eating normal foods such as chicken, meat, and other nutritious items. Her abnormal appetite and craving for non-food substances were first noticed by her mother when she was a toddler.
She also puts substances such as bath soap, sponges, soil, plants, and anything else that can be ingested into her mouth and eats them. So far, she has been hospitalized several times due to poisoning from these unusual substances or because sharp objects became stuck in her throat.
In addition to pica disorder, Jessica Walker also suffers from ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and developmental delays compared to her age group. Despite eating non-food items, her parents have managed to encourage her to also eat normal foods, so she now consumes both food and non-food substances.
Her parents are required to supervise her constantly, even at school, because she may chew on any object she finds around her.
Pica disorder is usually associated with deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamins or minerals, but in some individuals it becomes psychological and occurs due to disruptions in the brain’s reward system.
Doctors have so far been unable to find a definitive treatment for Jessica, and only methods such as massage and relaxation techniques for her fingers and toes have had limited effect during episodes of intense cravings.
Doctors strongly advise parents of children with pica disorder to consult physicians early in childhood to help control the condition as much as possible.
