pernicious anemia

pernicious anemia

noun

Definition of PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

: a severe megaloblastic anemia that is marked by a progressive decrease in the number of red blood cells and by pallor, weakness, and gastrointestinal and nervous disturbances and is caused by malabsorption of vitamin B₁₂ due to the absence of intrinsic factor

First Known Use of PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

1874

pernicious anemia

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

: a severe hyperchromic anemia marked by a progressive decrease in number and increase in size and hemoglobin content of the red blood cells and by pallor, weakness, and gastrointestinal and nervous disturbances and associated with reduced ability to absorb vitamin B₁₂ due to the absence of intrinsic factor—called also addisonian anemia

pernicious anemia

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Slow-developing disease in which vitamin B (see vitamin B complex) deficiency impairs red-blood-cell production. It can result from a diet lacking in vitamin B or when intrinsic factor, a substance needed for intestinal absorption of B, either is not produced by stomach cells or cannot bind to the vitamin. It causes weakness, waxy pallor, shiny tongue, and stomach, intestinal, and neurological problems. Its slow development can allow anemia to become very severe by the time of diagnosis. Monthly B injections into muscle soon reverses the anemia, but the injections must be continued for life.