What is Direct Coombs Test (DCT)?

The Direct Coombs test is a blood test that detects if you have antibodies in your blood that are making your immune system attack and ruin your own red blood cells. If present, antibodies against RBCs will target and destroy foreign RBCs acquired through blood transfusions, or those present in a fetus by the antibodies of the mother.

Why is DCT done?

1. To screen the recipient of a blood transfusion before the transfusion is done
2. To screen the mother’s blood for antigens that can target the RBCs of the newborn
3. To detect type of anemia
4. To diagnose hemolytic anemia and evaluate if it is caused by autoimmune disease or induced by drugs