Allison,a teacher at a school for underprivileged children,notices that one of her students,8-year-old Sarah,has an abnormal eating disorder.She often observes Sarah eating clay and chalk.When this habit continues in spite of intervention,Allison takes Sarah to Dr.Ford's clinic for a medical checkup.In addition to pale skin and rapid breathing,Dr.Ford notes that Sarah has abnormally low levels of iron in her blood stream.Based on the information provided in this scenario,Sarah shows the characteristic symptoms of _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Women and young children may become iron deficient from a condition known as pica, a condition in which people eat unusual substances such as clay and laundry starch. This is a compulsive eating disorder that makes the individual crave eating nonnutritional items such as dirt or soap. When this continues over a long time, the clay and starch bind the dietary iron so that no iron is absorbed. Eventually, internal iron stores become depleted, and anemia results.

Allison,a Teacher at a School for Underprivileged Children,notices That One