Some Symptoms

The symptoms of pica vary with the item ingested:

• Sand or soil is associated with gastric pain and occasional bleeding.
  
• Chewing ice may cause abnormal wear on teeth.
  
• Eating clay may cause constipation.
  
• Swallowing metal objects may lead to bowel perforation.
  
• Eating fecal material often leads to such infectious diseases as toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis, and trichuriasis.
  
• Consuming lead can lead to kidney damage and mental retardation.

*Children diagnosed with Pica have a tendency to "grow out of" the disorder

**It is suggested that it is uncommon for Pica disorder to be present in adults without a disability

Information taken from:

http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Pica.html