Pernicious anaemia is a health disorder in which is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells as it lacks vitamin B12. Rarely, children are born with an inherited disorder that prevents their bodies from making intrinsic factor. This disorder is called congenital pernicious anaemia.
Why is Vitamin B12 Important?
People who suffer from pernicious anaemia are not able to absorb vitamin B12 from the food. Hence, their body starts lacking the essential vitamin.
People who are unable to absorb vitamin B12 usually lack intrinsic factor which is a protein produced inside the stomach. The deficiency of this protein leads to deficiency of vitamin B12.
Besides this, other conditions which can cause vitamin B12 deficiency include infections, surgery, medicines, and diet.
Other Names of Pernicious Anaemia
Pernicious anaemia is one of two major types of "macrocystic" or "megaloblastic" anaemia. These terms refer to anaemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal. (The other major type of macrocystic anaemia is due folic acid deficiency).
Vitamin B12 deficiency also is called cobalamin deficiency, and combined systems disease.
What Causes Pernicious Anaemia
Pernicious anaemia is type of macrocytic anaemia and can have many factors leading to it apart from the deficiency of vitamin B12.
- Prolonged usage of a drug or an antibiotic can cause the disease.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another factor.
- Deficiency of folate caused by improper intake or malabsorption.
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