Amylophagia is a condition involving the compulsive consumption of excessive amounts of purified starch. It is a form of pica and is often observed in pregnant women. Amylophagia is distinct from a traditional diet containing a great deal of starchy staples such as potatoes, rice etc. In this condition, patients feel a compulsion to consume refined starch such as cornstarch.
Amylophagia's origins are complex, arising from a combination of biochemical, hematological, psychological, and cultural factors. In women, it can be an often-overlooked etiologic factor in gestational diabetes.
