[Transient malabsorption of Vitamin B12 bound to intrinsic factor in pernicious anemia (author's transl)].

In six patients with pernicious anemia, absorption of vitamin B12 bound to intrinsic factor was low as measured by the Schilling's test. Collection of urine was complete and the activity of intrinsic factor used was checked in other pernicious anemia patients. Nutritional deficiency, drug induced malabsorption, ileal or pancreatic diseases were excluded by clinical, radiological and biological investigations. This vitamin B12 malabsorption was selective and reversible within a few months after treatment with parenteral vitamin B12. Mechanisms of this ileal dysfunction are discussed.