pernicious anemia

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. 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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Etymology

Origin of pernicious anemia

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Patients with pernicious anemia who had been close to death often improved dramatically within weeks of eating liver-rich diets.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

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.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2022

Mary Todd Lincoln's mental health problems may have been due to a condition called pernicious anemia, according to a medical expert.

From US News • Jul. 18, 2016

Could pernicious anemia, a disease caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency, have explained the many strange behaviors of Mary Todd Lincoln?

From Seattle Times • Jul. 9, 2016

In his middle life, at about the time such things were known about, it was discovered that, he had pernicious anemia.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck