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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pernicious anemia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 5 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

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