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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Child Always Chewing Paper During Lessons After Being Fed. Is It Due To Any Deficiency?

I home school my daughters and sometimes during our lessons they will tear off tiny bits of paper from their workbook and put them in their mouth. Sometimes, they will eat the paper unless I see them and then I make them spit it out. They will do this even after being fed. Are they lacking something in their diet that their body is trying to get from the paper? Please help.
Mon, 4 Mar 2013
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Pediatrician 's  Response
hi,

thanks for writing to health care magic.

This is called pica. It is eating of non nutritive substances like clay, paint, charcoal etc

upto a certain age it is normal. proper monitoring is required
but later if it occurs we should keep proper watch on these children.

Iron deficiency anemia should be ruled out.

Psychological stress can result in such behavior. so such factors if present should be taken care of

hope this helps
take care
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Child Always Chewing Paper During Lessons After Being Fed. Is It Due To Any Deficiency?

hi, thanks for writing to health care magic. This is called pica. It is eating of non nutritive substances like clay, paint, charcoal etc upto a certain age it is normal. proper monitoring is required but later if it occurs we should keep proper watch on these children. Iron deficiency anemia should be ruled out. Psychological stress can result in such behavior. so such factors if present should be taken care of hope this helps take care