RT Journal
A1 Baker SJ
T1 HYperpigmentation and pernicious anemia in blacks
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1979
FD November 1
VO 139
IS 11
SP 1316
OP 1316
DO 10.1001/archinte.1979.03630480088028
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1979.03630480088028
AB To the Editor.— 
    The report by Ogbuawa et al in the Archives (138:388-389, 1978) concerning hyperpigmentation in blacks with pernicious anemia is of interest. However, this is not the first report since similar hyperpigmentation has been reported in an African with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia1 and also in a black American with folic acid deficiency.2The authors also state that melanocyte-stimulating hormone has not been investigated in this condition. However, it has been shown that β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone levels in subjects with hyperpigmentation associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are within normal range.3 The hyperpigmentation, therefore, cannot be explained by this mechanism.It should further be noted that although hyperpigmentation was at one time thought to be specific for B12 deficiency,4 it occurs also in patients with folate deficiency megaloblastic anemia.2.5