pernicious anemia

noun

: 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

Examples of pernicious anemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past month, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder with a name like a villain in a Dickens novel: pernicious anemia. —Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2023

The most common cause is pernicious anemia, an autoimmune condition where the body cannot make a cofactor to help absorb vitamin B12. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 14 June 2023

Vitiligo is also sometimes associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, alopecia areata, systemic lupus erythematosus, and celiac disease. —Emily Kirkpatrick, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023

Scandinavians and the Finnish in particular have a genetic predisposition to B12 deficiency and are more susceptible to suffering from pernicious anemia. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 27 Sep. 2011

Chronic infections may result in weight loss, fatigue and pernicious anemia. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 27 Sep. 2011

The disorder also affects twice as many women as men and is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo and pernicious anemia. —Nardine Saadstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pernicious anemia

noun

: a severe anemia in which the red blood cells decrease in number and increase in size and which is caused by a reduced ability to absorb vitamin B₁₂

Medical Definition

pernicious anemia

noun

: 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