How many people died from pica and what was the cause?

Answer 1

Pica, a disorder characterized by the compulsive ingestion of non-food substances, can lead to serious health complications, including malnutrition, intestinal blockages, and poisoning, which can result in death. While specific global statistics on deaths directly attributable to pica are limited, case reports have documented fatalities due to severe complications, such as lead poisoning from eating paint chips or bowel obstruction from ingesting foreign objects. The risk factors and outcomes can vary significantly based on the substances ingested and the individual's health condition.