Akademik

a form of anaemia resulting from deficiency of vitamin B₁₂. This in turn results either from failure to produce the substance (intrinsic factor) that facilitates absorption of B₁₂ from the bowel or from dietary deficiency of the vitamin. Pernicious anaemia is characterized by defective production of red blood cells and the presence of megaloblast in the bone marrow. In severe forms the nervous system is affected (see subacute combined degeneration of the cord). The condition is treated by injections of vitamin B₁₂.