A case of pica with motor-mental retardation and with foreign bodies in the larynx and gastrointestinal tract: Autopsy results and current literature review

Abstract

Pica is the continuous consumption of non-nutritive and non-food items for at least one month. In this study, a 17-year-old boy pica case diagnosed with motor-mental retardation due to cerebral palsy was presented. It was learned that the case was exhibiting object swallowing behaviour. He was found dead in the field by his relatives. At the autopsy, a 3.5x3.0x2.5 cm foreign body (stone) that completely obstructed the upper part of the larynx lumen was removed. In addition, three foreign bodies were removed from the cecum region. The death was caused by mechanical asphyxia due to foreign body aspiration. © 2021, Galenos. All rights reserved.