Point prevalence of pica in paediatric sickle cell disease population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Point prevalence of pica in paediatric sickle cell disease population
IRAS ID
324183
Contact name
Vanshree Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London (Institute of Child Health)
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pica is a pattern of disordered eating involving persistent craving for and consumption of non-nutritive substances for over one month, discordant with cultural practices and beyond the normal childhood developmental period. Pica is classically associated with nutritional deficiencies including iron and zinc, alongside other clinical manifestations like delayed development, malnutrition, dental damage, electrolyte disturbances and gastrointestinal obstruction.
Sickle cell disease refers to one of the most common haematological disorders worldwide caused by a mutated on the HBB gene. This causes red blood cells to take the form of a "sickle cell" in response to low oxygen levels.A potential link between pica and sickle cell disease has been observed for several decades, however much about this relationship remains unclear. The presence of comorbid pica in children with sickle cell disease is concerning as the condition is not only independently deleterious to health, but may compound with the adverse physical, mental and social consequences that sickle cell disease entails. Like the aetiology of pica itself, the reason for its higher prevalence among patients with sickle cell disease is unclear.
This study aims to study a cohort of paediatric sickle cell patients in a leading London haematology clinic where a questionnaire will be circulated to gauge disordered eating patterns, such as pica.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0077
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion