Which nutrient deficiency is associated with pernicious anemia?

Which nutrient deficiency is associated with pernicious anemia?

• A. Vitamin B12
• B. Folate
• C. Thiamine
• D. Niacin

Answer: (A)

Pernicious anemia arises when the body can’t absorb enough vitamin B12 because intrinsic factor, a stomach-produced protein needed for B12 absorption, is missing or targeted by the immune system. Vitamin B12 is essential for proper DNA synthesis in red blood cell precursors and for maintaining nerve myelin. Without it, red blood cells develop abnormally and become large and dysfunctional (megaloblastic anemia), and nervous system symptoms can appear from impaired myelin. Folate deficiency can also cause megaloblastic anemia, but pernicious anemia specifically reflects a vitamin B12 deficiency due to loss of intrinsic factor. So, the nutrient deficiency linked to pernicious anemia is vitamin B12.

Pernicious anemia arises when the body can’t absorb enough vitamin B12 because intrinsic factor, a stomach-produced protein needed for B12 absorption, is missing or targeted by the immune system. Vitamin B12 is essential for proper DNA synthesis in red blood cell precursors and for maintaining nerve myelin. Without it, red blood cells develop abnormally and become large and dysfunctional (megaloblastic anemia), and nervous system symptoms can appear from impaired myelin. Folate deficiency can also cause megaloblastic anemia, but pernicious anemia specifically reflects a vitamin B12 deficiency due to loss of intrinsic factor. So, the nutrient deficiency linked to pernicious anemia is vitamin B12.