Pernicious Anaemia in Children

Summary. Diagnosis of pernicious anaemia is justifiable provided that 1) there is presence of a hyperchromic, macrocytic blood picture with megaloblastic haematopoiesis, 2) that all the diseases the symptoms of which might suggest pernicious anaemia are definitely excluded, 3) that liver therapy alone proves to have a definite effect, 4) that the condition calls for maintenance of this specific therapy. On the basis of these criteria the cases of periiicious anaemia in children reported in the literature up to date, are assessed. In seven of these the diagnosis of pernicious anaemia is considered to be either fully justifiable or at least possible. Description of two new cases in which the mentioned prerequisites were definitely demonstrated. The disease set in, in one patient at the age of one year and six months, and in the other at the age of ten years a i d six months.