White blood cells are made in bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of the larger bones. Conditions that affect the bone marrow are the usual causes of low white blood cell count. Some of these conditions are present at birth, also known as congenital.
Causes of a low white blood cell count include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Epstein-Barr virus infection.
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- Infections
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Malaria
- Malnutrition and lack of certain vitamins
- Medications, such as antibiotics
- Sarcoidosis
- Sepsis (an overwhelming bloodstream infection)
- Tuberculosis
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Dec. 10, 2022
- White blood cell count (WBC blood test). Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/white-blood-cell-count-wbc/. Accessed Nov. 23, 2022.
- Walls RM, et al., eds. White blood cells disorders. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 10th ed. Elsevier; 2023. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 23, 2022.
- Goldman L, et al., eds. Leukocytosis and leukopenia. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 23, 2022.