Follow-up Investigative Tests (Newborn)

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (retired 4/6/2020). Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Follow-up Investigative Tests (Newborn)

If the mother has a clinically significant antibody, routine serologic tests done on the newborn include

  1. ABO and Rh
  2. Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)

If the newborn's DAT is positive, these procedures should be followed:

  1. Elution of newborn's red cells to prepare an eluate containing the sensitizing antibody (unless assessed to be passive anti-D from RhIg*)
  2. Antibody identification using eluate

Antibody in the eluate should correspond to at least one antibody found in the maternal serum.

* The exception is a positive DAT in a newborn whose mother received RhIg antenatally and who has anti-D at delivery. If other maternal antibodies have been excluded, the positive DAT is assumed to be from RhIg and no elution is performed.