Meaning of PERNICIOUS ANEMIA

Pronunciation:			pur'nishus u'neemeeu
WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  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)
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	Synonyms:		malignant anaemia, malignant anemia, pernicious anaemia
	See Also:		anaemia, anemia, megaloblastic anaemia, megaloblastic anemia, metaplastic anaemia, metaplastic anemia
Medical Dictionary
	Definition:		A type of anemia (low red blood cell count) caused by the body's inability to absorb vitamin B12. A particular form of anemia caused by inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestinal tract.
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		This is anemia due to the production of an autoantibody against the parietal cells and a blocking antibody that blocks the binding of vitamin B12 to the intrinsic factor. A third autoantibody blocks the absorption of the B12-intrinsic factor complex . Megaloblastic anemia results from the lack of B12.