Lymphopenia Causes and Risk Factors

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Your risk of lymphopenia is higher if you have one of the diseases, conditions, or factors that can cause a low lymphocyte count. These conditions can be acquired or inherited.

• "Inherited" means your parents passed the genes for the condition on to you.
• "Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it.

Inherited conditions that can lead to lymphopenia

• Ataxia telangiectasia
• Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (sometimes called DiGeorge syndrome)
• Common variable immunodeficiency
• Severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID)
• Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Acquired conditions that can lead to lymphopenia 

• Infections such as HIV, viral hepatitis, influenza, SARS CoV-2 (the viruses that causes COVID-19), tuberculosis, pneumonia, sepsis , or malaria
• autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
• Blood cancer and other blood diseases, such as Hodgkin's disease and aplastic anemia
• Some medical treatments like blood and bone marrow transplant, cancer treatment, steroid therapy, or major surgery
• Drinking too much alcohol or poor nutrition (having a diet without enough protein or other nutrients)

You may be able to prevent some types of lymphopenia by getting treatment for and managing medical conditions, following a healthy diet, and avoiding drinking too much alcohol.

There is no way to prevent lymphopenia that’s caused by an inherited condition. You can take steps to manage your condition and lower your risk for complications such as infections.