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.

First recorded in 1870–75

It occurs in well-marked cases of pernicious anemia and leukemia, and, much less commonly, in very severe symptomatic anemias.

In pernicious anemia they are always greatly diminished, and an increase should exclude the diagnosis of this disease.

Megaloblasts are found in pernicious anemia, and with extreme rarity in any other condition.

Pathologically, normoblasts occur in severe symptomatic anemia, leukemia, and pernicious anemia.

A few of these may be present in very marked leukocytosis or any severe blood condition, as pernicious anemia.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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