The indirect Coombs' test measures the presence of antibodies to red blood cells in the blood (see also Coombs' test - direct).

Indirect antiglobulin test

Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure, which restricts blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed and the puncture site is covered with gauze or with a bandage to stop any bleeding.

Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

Adults:
No special preparation is necessary.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

• Infant test/procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• Toddler test/procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• Preschooler test/procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• Schoolage test/procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• Adolescent test/procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a bruise may develop at the site where the needle was inserted.

The indirect Coombs' test detects circulating antibodies against red blood cells (RBCs). The major use of this test is to determine if the patient has antibodies in the blood capable of attaching to RBCs. (These antibodies are other than the major ABO system or the Rh type).

The test is only rarely used to diagnose a medical condition but is essential for use by laboratories such as blood banks. Blood banks use the indirect Coombs' test is to determine whether there is likely to be an adverse reaction to blood that is going to be used for a blood transfusion.

No agglutination (i.e., the absence of clumping of red blood cells) is normal.

An abnormal indirect Coombs' test may indicate the presence of an antibody against an antigen that the body views as foreign:

• Antibodies to antigens not present on the individual's red cells, usually caused by prior transfusions
• Erythroblastosis fetalis/hemolytic disease of the newborn
• Incompatible cross-matched blood (when the test is used in the blood bank)

If you have antibodies against your own red cells, the indirect Coombs' test results may be abnormal if there are excess antibodies beyond what your red blood cells can absorb. This may indicate autoimmune hemolytic anemia or drug-induced hemolytic anemia.

• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Multiple punctures to locate veins
• Excessive bleeding
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)