Useful For

For the detection of red cells that are coated with IgG and/or complement due to in-vivo sensitization. Conditions that can result in in-vivo coating of red cells with antibody or complement are hemolytic disease of the newborn, hemolytic transfusion reaction, and autoimmune and drug-induced hemolytic anemias.  DAT testing is requested on patients where the presence of hemolysis is suspected or established.  When invenstigating a transfusion reaction, the DAT may be postitive if sensitized red cells have not been destroyed or negative if hemoysis and clearance have occurred.