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Amylophagia

 
Medical Glossary: Amylophagia

The compulsive eating of purified starch, typically cornstarch or laundry starch.

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Amylophagia is a condition involving the compulsive consumption of excessive amounts of purified starch. It is a form of pica and is often observed in pregnant women. Amylophagia is distinct from a traditional diet containing a great deal of starchy staples such as potatoes, rice etc. In this condition, patients feel a compulsion to consume refined starch such as cornstarch.

Amylophagia's origins are complex, arising from a combination of biochemical, hematological, psychological, and cultural factors. In women, it can be an often-overlooked etiologic factor in gestational diabetes.

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Pica
Pica: Causes and symptoms
Cornstarch

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