A 45-year-old woman with chronic blood loss has Hb 9.8 g/dL, MCV 70 fL, serum ferritin 8 ng/mL. She reports compulsive craving and eating of ice. This specific manifestation is termed:
- A Pica
- B Glossitis
- C Pagophagia ✓
- D Angular cheilitis
Correct answer: C. Pagophagia
Explanation
Pagophagia specifically refers to compulsive ice eating, a form of pica strongly associated with iron deficiency anemia. Pica is the broader term for craving non-nutritive substances (including clay, starch, or ice). Glossitis and angular cheilitis are other manifestations of iron deficiency but do not describe ice craving.
Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.