Pica during pregnancy in low-income women born in Mexico

Objective To describe pica behavior (ingestion of nonfood items) in pregnan t low-income Mexican-born women in Mexico and the United States. Design A convenience sample of informants was interviewed with a questionna ire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Setting A low-income community on the outskirts of Ensenada, Mexico, and cl inics serving low-income people in southern California (Santa Ana, Bakersfi eld, and Los Angeles). Participants Of a total of 225 Mexican-born women, 75 (33%) were interviewe d in Ensenada, and 150 (67%) were interviewed in southern California. Results The prevalence of pica during pregnancy was 44% (n = 33) in the Ens enada group and 31% (n = 46) in the southern California group. Those who re ported pica behavior more commonly had a relative who also practiced pica. Conclusion The high reported rare of pica in this sample indicates that pre gnant Mexcan-born women should be screened for pica and educated about the potentially serious effects on the fetus and mother.