Congenital Pernicious Anemia - Congenital Lack of Intrinsic Factor

How is the disease diagnosed?

A congenital lack of intrinsic factor may be suspected after the history and physical exam. A blood test called a complete blood count, or CBC, is done first. This test counts the number of cells in the blood and will show a low number of red blood cells if anemia is present. Next, a blood test called a B1\ \B2\ \B6\ \pantothenic acid\ \folic acid\ \niacin\ \biotin\ Cobalamin is the general name for vitamin B12. ',CAPTION,'Vitamin B12');" onmouseout="return nd();">vitamin B12 level is usually done, which measures the vitamin B12 level in the blood. A child with congenital lack of intrinsic factor has a low level of vitamin B12.

The diagnosis of congenital lack of intrinsic factor can be confirmed by a Schilling test, which uses radioactive vitamin B12 to measure the amount of B1\ \B2\ \B6\ \pantothenic acid\ \folic acid\ \niacin\ \biotin\ Cobalamin is the general name for vitamin B12. ',CAPTION,'Vitamin B12');" onmouseout="return nd();">vitamin B12 absorbed by the intestines.