Niemann-Pick disease

Nie·mann–Pick disease

noun \ˈnē-ˌmän-ˈpik-\

Definition of NIEMANN-PICK DISEASE

: an error in lipid metabolism that is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, is characterized by accumulation of phospholipid in macrophages of the liver, spleen, lymph glands, and bone marrow, and leads to gastrointestinal disturbances, malnutrition, enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes, and abnormalities of the blood-forming organs—compare gaucher's disease, tay-sachs disease

Biographical Note for NIEMANN-PICK DISEASE

Niemann, Albert (1880–1921), and Pick, Ludwig (1868–1944), German physicians. Niemann published the first description of a form of xanthomatosis in 1914. In 1926 Pick described the same condition but in much greater detail. Because of their respective contributions the disease is now known as Niemann-Pick disease.