pernicious anemia

noun

Pathology.

a severe anemia caused by the diminution or absence of stomach acid secretion, with consequent failure of the gastric mucosa to secrete the intrinsic factor necessary for the absorption of vitamin B 1 2 , characterized by a great reduction in the number of red blood cells and an increase in their size.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pernicious anemia¹

First recorded in 1870–75

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In humans, impaired stomach lining stems from gastric surgery, chronic inflammation or pernicious anemia — a medical condition characterized by fatigue and a long list of other symptoms.

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Q: I was diagnosed a decade ago with pernicious anemia.

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Run ragged from weeks of campaigning across the West while fighting strep throat and tonsillitis, she died the next month, at age 30, from pernicious anemia.

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Individuals with pernicious anemia, which affects up to 2 percent of older adults, are also susceptible.

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My deficiency might be caused by an autoimmune disease called pernicious anemia.

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pernicious anaemia pernickety

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