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

People with medical conditions like pernicious anemia, which prevents the absorption of vitamin B12, or certain gastrointestinal disorders that impair nutrient absorption may require B12 injections. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025

Address underlying causes: Treat conditions like pernicious anemia or malabsorption disorders.9 Certain medications can affect vitamin B12 absorption and levels, leading to potential deficiencies. —Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025

People with certain medical conditions: Those with pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease, atrophic gastritis, or celiac disease. —Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025

People with a history of seizure disorders, liver issues, bipolar disorder, or pernicious anemia should consult with their doctor before taking a methylated multivitamin. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025

The deficiency manifests itself through a type of anemia, called pernicious anemia. —Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pernicious anemia

• hyperlipidemia
• hyperuricemia
• hypomagnesemia
• hypophosphatemia
• academia
• acidemia
• azotemia
• bacteremia
• hyperaemia
• hyperemia
• hypoxemia
• septicaemia

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