Pica is defined as the repeated ingestion of nonnutritive
substances (pebbles, hair, small metal objects, etc.). This
disorder is common in children (and is found more rarely
in adulthood) with developmental disorders (e.g., autism) or
mental retardation [47]. In schizophrenia, it can be defined
as an impulsive consumption associated with delusions.
Domingo-Claros et al. reported a case of a 29-year-old
woman with schizophrenia and severe anemia who was
diagnosedwith leadpoisoning (saturnism) as a result the pica
ingestion of small metal jewelry found in her stomach during
an endoscopy [48].Many cases of coprophagia, defined as the
ingestion of feces and considered a variant of pica, have been
associated with schizophrenia [49]. Finally, many studies
suggest a significant association between schizophrenia and
potomania, defined as the ingestion of beverages in large
quantities, on the order of 8 to 10 liters per day. In cases of
water intoxication, severe metabolic imbalances can occur,
leading to hyponatremia, convulsions, and coma [50].