Niemann-Pick disease

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Niemann-Pick disease (nee-man pik) n. a rare inherited disease of phospholipid metabolism in which sphingomyelin and lecithin accumulate in the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. It is characterized by enlargement of the liver and the spleen and by physical and mental retardation. [ A. Niemann (1880–1921), German paediatrician; F. Pick (1868–1935), German physician]

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