Pernicious anemia facts for kids
Pernicious anemia is a health problem where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. This happens because your body can't properly use vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is super important for making red blood cells and keeping your nerves healthy.
To get vitamin B12 from the food you eat (like meat, chicken, and milk products), your stomach needs to make a special protein called intrinsic factor. Think of intrinsic factor as a key that unlocks vitamin B12 so your intestines can absorb it. If your stomach doesn't make enough of this key, your body can't get the vitamin B12 it needs.
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What Causes Pernicious Anemia?
There are a few reasons why someone might get pernicious anemia.
Immune System Attack
Sometimes, a person's immune system (which usually fights off germs) can get confused. It might accidentally attack the cells in the stomach that make intrinsic factor. When this happens, the body can't make enough intrinsic factor, and so it can't absorb vitamin B12.
Weakened Stomach Lining
Another cause can be a weakened or damaged lining of the stomach. If the stomach lining is not healthy, it might not be able to produce enough intrinsic factor.
Passed Down Through Families
In very rare cases, pernicious anemia can be something that runs in families. This means it can be passed down from parents to their children.
How Is Pernicious Anemia Treated?
The main treatment for pernicious anemia is usually a regular injection of vitamin B12. Since the body can't absorb vitamin B12 from food, giving it as a shot makes sure the body gets the vitamin it needs. These shots help the body make healthy red blood cells and keep the nerves working well.
Who Discovered Intrinsic Factor?
The important protein called intrinsic factor was discovered by a scientist named Thomas Addison. His work helped us understand how the body uses vitamin B12 and how to treat pernicious anemia.
Images for kids
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Atrophic gastritis is a condition where parts of the stomach lining become thin and damaged.
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An old advertisement from 1930 for a liver extract, which was used to treat pernicious anemia before vitamin B12 injections became common.
See also
In Spanish: Anemia perniciosa para niños
