Pregnant women in Thika with a craving for stones should consult their doctors for help as the behaviour may have adverse health effects on them and their unborn babies.
Dr John Kariuki, a gynaecologist at Thika Level Five Hospital says that the craving for the stones commonly referred to as odowa may be as a result of lack of important minerals like calcium and iron.
"Though there is no cure for that craving for stones condition, we advise pregnant women with such problem to consider consulting their doctors because the stones may be both harmful to them and their unborn babies. There are available supplements that can help reduce the craving," said Kariuki at the facility on Wednesday.
Kariuki adds that the stones may cause health problems as well as infections.
"One of the problems that is associated with some of these non-food items is intestinal obstruction which may require surgery. The woman might also get tapeworm infections because most of these stones are usually not clean," he said.
The doctor, however, noted that the craving may not be as a result of lack of minerals in the woman's body, but warned that continued use of the stones may affect their absorption leading to deficiency.