3-Yr-old girl constantly consumes plaster, foam, wool; What is this unusual disorder?

A mother in Blackwood, Wales, has made a desperate plea for assistance in dealing with her three-year-old daughter's rare condition, which compels her to consume non-food items, a behaviour known as pica. Stacey A'Hearne expressed her challenges in preventing her daughter Wynter from ingesting potentially harmful substances like plaster, sofa foam, and even parts of furniture.

Stacey, aged 25, shared her ordeal, stating that Wynter was diagnosed with autism and suffers from pica, a condition characterised by cravings for non-edible objects. She highlighted instances where Wynter has damaged furniture and attempted to ingest glass and other unsafe items.

"She is literally eating the whole house. I bought a brand-new sofa, and she's taken chunks out of it," Stacey lamented. Despite being selective about regular food, Wynter exhibits a strong inclination towards consuming sponges and other non-nutritive items.

Stacey mentioned her vigilance in monitoring Wynter, especially during the night when the child has been observed chewing on her cot and blanket. The concerning behaviour began to escalate when Wynter turned 13 months old and became non-verbal, prompting Stacey to seek medical advice from healthcare professionals.

Following thorough tests, Wynter was diagnosed with Pica and autism in January 2024. Stacey believes that the condition may be linked to sensory issues, as pica is more common among children with autism. Despite the challenges, Stacey remains hopeful that Wynter will eventually outgrow this behaviour and emphasises the need for continued vigilance and support.