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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
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
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
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Word History
First Known Use
1874, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of pernicious anemia was
in 1874
Dictionary Entries Near pernicious anemia
Cite this Entry
“Pernicious anemia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pernicious%20anemia. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on pernicious anemia
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pernicious anemia
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