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Noun: pernicious anemia  pur'ni-shus u'nee-mee-u
Usage: N. Amer (elsewhere: pernicious anaemia)
  1. A chronic progressive anemia of older adults; thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B₁₂)
    "The patient with pernicious anemia required regular B12 injections";
    - pernicious anaemia [Brit, Cdn], malignant anemia [N. Amer], malignant anaemia [Brit, Cdn]

Type of: anaemia [Brit, Cdn], anemia [N. Amer]

Encyclopedia: Pernicious anemia