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pernicious anemia

noun

Definition of pernicious anemia

: 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

First Known Use of pernicious anemia

1874, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for pernicious anemia

pernicious anemia

noun

Medical Definition of pernicious anemia

: 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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