
A positive indirect Coombs test during pregnancy means you may need to take steps to protect your baby. Not all antibodies the test finds are harmful, so depending on what the test was looking for, you may need more tests to narrow down which ones you have so your doctor will know what to do next.
What does a positive Coombs test mean?
Your doctor may suggest other tests. A positive direct Coombs test means that you have antibodies attached to your red blood cells. This means you may a condition that causes your immune system to destroy red blood cells, called hemolysis. A positive test doesn’t always mean that hemolysis is occurring.
How long does a Coombs test take?
You can expect to get the results for the indirect coombs test within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice and preferred lab partner, it may take longer. What do abnormal indirect Coombs tests indicate?
What is a direct Coombs test?
There are two types of Coombs’ tests: direct and indirect. The direct Coombs’ test, also known as the direct antiglobulin test, is the test usually used to identify hemolytic anemia. [The indirect Coombs’ test is used only in prenatal testing of pregnant women and in testing blood prior to a transfusion.]
What does positive Coombs mean?
What does positive Coombs mean? A positive Coombs’ test means that the red blood cells are coated with hundreds of immunoglobulins. A positive result, taken along with other corroborative laboratory data and clinical signs, is supportive of immune mediated destruction of red blood cells.

What does a positive indirect Coombs test means in pregnancy?
An abnormal (positive) result means that the mother has developed antibodies to the fetal red blood cells and is sensitized. However, a positive Coombs test only indicates that an Rh-positive fetus has a possibility of being harmed.
How serious is Coombs positive?
Typically, Coombs-positive babies do not have any long-term problems. Because the mom's blood and baby's blood don't mix after delivery, the reaction in the baby's bloodstream slowly resolves. "The newborn naturally makes more new red blood cells, eliminating the issue," explains Dr. Ross.
What is the purpose of indirect Coombs test?
Indirect Coombs test tells your provider if there are antibodies present in your bloodstream that could attach to red blood cells. It's used as a screening process to see how you'll react to a blood transfusion.
What is the difference between the direct and indirect Coombs test what is a positive result?
There are two types of Coombs tests. The direct test looks for antibodies that are stuck to red blood cells. The indirect test looks for antibodies floating in the liquid part of your blood, called serum.
What is the treatment for Coombs positive?
Treatment calls for high doses of steroids such as prednisone, which may be supplemented with immunosuppressive medications such as azathioprine (Imuran).
What causes a positive Coombs test?
An abnormal (positive) direct Coombs test means you have antibodies that act against your red blood cells. This may be due to: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or similar disorder.
What drugs cause positive Coombs test?
Most common among the drugs reported to have caused positive direct antiglobulin tests are: Aldomet, penicillin, cephalosporins, INH, quinidine. Many hospitalized patients demonstrate weakly positive direct antiglobulin tests of no clinical significance.
How long does Coombs positive last?
Most babies do not have any long-term problems. The mother's antibodies which have caused the positive Coombs test reduce in number and are usually gone from the baby's blood by 2 months of age.
When is indirect Coombs test during pregnancy?
The indirect Coombs test is commonly done to find antibodies in a recipient's or donor's blood before a transfusion. A test to determine whether a woman has Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood (Rh antibody titer) is done early in pregnancy. If she is Rh-negative, steps can be taken to protect the baby.
What does positive Coombs test mean in adults?
A positive direct Coombs test means that you have antibodies attached to your red blood cells. This means you may a condition that causes your immune system to destroy red blood cells, called hemolysis.
What is the difference between indirect Coombs test and direct Coombs test?
The direct antiglobulin test (DAT; direct Coombs test) is performed by adding anti-human globulin to patient RBCs. The indirect antiglobulin test (IAT; indirect Coombs test) is performed by adding patient plasma to test RBCs followed by the addition of anti-human globulin.
What's the difference between direct and indirect test?
Direct assessment involves looking at actual samples of student work produced in our programs. These include capstone projects, senior theses, exhibits or performances (see below). Indirect assessment is gathering information through means other than looking at actual samples of student work.
How long does Coombs positive last?
Most babies do not have any long-term problems. The mother's antibodies which have caused the positive Coombs test reduce in number and are usually gone from the baby's blood by 2 months of age.
What drugs cause positive Coombs test?
Most common among the drugs reported to have caused positive direct antiglobulin tests are: Aldomet, penicillin, cephalosporins, INH, quinidine. Many hospitalized patients demonstrate weakly positive direct antiglobulin tests of no clinical significance.
How long does ABO incompatibility last?
Can persist up to 12 weeks after birth.
What is a Coombs test for newborns?
Direct Coomb's Test This is the test that is done on the newborn's blood sample, usually in the setting of a newborn with jaundice. The test is looking for "foreign" antibodies that are already adhered to the infant's red blood cells (rbcs), a potential cause of hemolysis.
Is the lab technician coming for Indirect Coombs Test sample collection vaccinated?
Yes. Our lab technicians are fully vaccinated. Further, they also ensure safety throughout by wearing a mask, gloves, and frequently sanitizing the...
Does MFine provide interpretation for the results along with the reports?
Yes, MFine provides the interpretation for the result along with the reports. You can also avail a free medical consultation with a doctor to under...
How can I download my Indirect Coombs Test report?
Login to MFine Go to your profile Click on Attachment and Reports Click on Lab Report Download the report
Are there any discount offers running on Indirect Coombs Test?
Usually you can avail up to 50% discount on Indirect Coombs Test through MFine. However, the discount and test price may vary based on lab partner...
When is this test done?
This test is done before any blood transfusion. To monitor the pregnant women for prenatal screening. Men and women of over and above the age of 5...
What precautions are needed to be carried out in this test?
Inform the doctor about your medications. There are no special precautions needed for this test. Talk to your doctor in case of any query or troubl...
Who can undergo the Indirect Coombs test?
The test is done as a part of the prenatal test where the mother’s blood is checked for antibodies. Pregnant women undergo this test to ascertain t...
How is the test conducted at home?
The indirect Coombs test is just like any other blood test. A lab technician visits your home when you book your tests through the MFine app. The l...
What is the difference between direct and indirect Coombs test?
The direct coombs test detects antibodies that are already attached to the red blood cells while the indirect coombs test detects the antibodies in...
Why to book the test?
The test is booked to detect the antibodies in the mother’s blood to check if it has the potential to cause any harm to the child.
What does the Coombs test show?
The Coombs test checks the blood to see if it contains certain antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes when it detects that something may be harmful to your health. These antibodies will destroy the harmful invader.
What happens if you have a Coombs test?
This can cause many kinds of health problems. The Coombs test will help your doctor determine if you have antibodies in your bloodstream that are causing your immune system to attack and destroy your own red blood cells.
What does it mean when you have clumping in your blood during a Coombs test?
Abnormal results in a direct Coombs test. A clumping of the red blood cells during the test indicates an abnormal result. Agglutination (clumping) of your blood cells during a direct Coombs test means that you have antibodies on the red blood cells and that you may have a condition that causes the destruction of red blood cells by your immune ...
How is blood tested?
The blood is tested with compounds that’ll react with antibodies in your blood. The blood sample is obtained through venipuncture, in which a needle is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. The needle draws a small amount of blood into tubing. The sample is stored in a test tube.
What is the difference between a direct and indirect blood test?
The direct test is more common and checks for antibodies that are attached to the surface of your red blood cells. The indirect test checks for unattached antibodies that are floating in the bloodstream. It’s also administered to determine if there was a potential bad reaction to a blood transfusion.
Can a Coombs test cause death?
It can result in death of the mother and child. A pregnant woman is often given an indirect Coombs test to check for antibodies before labor during prenatal care. Last medically reviewed on September 18, 2017.
Can Coombs test show abnormality?
Sometimes, especially in older adults, a Coombs test will have an abnormal result even without any other disease or risk factors.
What is the Indirect Coombs test used for?
It may so happen that the mother starts to develop antibodies against the fetus leading to various problems for both of them. The doctors look into the detail that along with the prenatal screenings, the Indirect Coombs test is also performed to ensure that there is no risk that the fetus can be exposed to.
What is included in the Indirect Coombs test?
The indirect Coombs test involves getting blood samples drawn out of the mother from the arm. The test is then conducted in the lab where the blood is checked for antibodies that may have developed in the mother against the fetus to ascertain that the fetus faces no problem. There are a couple of tests and diagnostics that are carried out throughout the pregnancy phase, one of them is the Indirect Coombs test which is a potent test the doctors will recommend if there are any chances of Rh incompatibility between the mother and the fetus. After the test results are out the doctors will look through the matter and come out with the necessary plan of action that is needed to save both the child and the mother.
How much does the Indirect Coombs test cost?
The doctors will also recommend for you to undergo the Indirect Coombs test to know if blood transfusion can be safely carried out and also elicit the level of antibodies that have already been produced in the mother. This test is cost effective and can be done at the rate of rupees 500 only. It is a necessity to take forward this test so that you can ensure no risks to your baby and plan a treatment that will be safe.
How long does it take to get the results for an Indirect Coombs test?
You can expect to get the results for the indirect coombs test within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice and preferred lab partner, it may take longer.
Is the Indirect Coombs test a definite test?
Both the positive and the negative reports are an indicator to understand the potent treatment plan that can be devised thereafter with an indirect Coombs test. It can also be stated if the blood transfusion would be easy to carry out or not. This therefore, is a definite test and can be repeated to ascertain its results.
What does it mean when you get a positive indirect Coombs test?
A positive indirect Coombs test during pregnancy means you may need to take steps to protect your baby.
Why do doctors use indirect Coombs test?
Doctors use the indirect Coombs test, also called IAT, to prevent problems. They'll check your blood before you get a transfusion to make sure it doesn't have antibodies that would react badly to the donated blood. It's part of the "type and screen" process. Pregnant women get a prenatal antibody screening with an indirect Coombs test.
What is cross matching blood?
Cross-matching is a special kind of IAT that may be done before a blood transfusion. The lab mixes your serum (where the antibodies are) with red blood cells from the donor. A negative indirect Coombs test is good news.
What test is used to check for antibodies in the blood?
Pregnant women get a prenatal antibody screening with an indirect Coombs test. It checks the mother's blood to see if there are antibodies that could pass to and harm their unborn baby.
What is the Coombs test?
The Coombs test checks your blood for antibodies that attack red blood cells. You might also hear it called an antiglobulin test or red blood cell antibody screening. Not everyone's red blood cells are alike.
Do you need other tests for Coombs?
Regardless of the result of a direct Coombs test, you may need other tests to find the right diagnosis and treatment.
What does it mean when a Coombs test is positive?
Coombs test positive means person have antibodies that act against red blood cells. It may be due to: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood disease of newborns called erythroblastosis fetalis (also called hemolytic disease of the newborn)in that case baby need a transfusion with compatible blood to prevent anemia.
What is a direct coombs test?
Direct coomb’s test means it measures the red blood cell present in the blood.It is also known as direct antiglobulin test (DAT).
What is the purpose of the RBC test?
This test is used to detect presence of antibody against RBC or to evaluate destruction of RBC.
