What is an RBC antibody screen?An RBC (red blood cell) antibody screen is a blood test that looks for antibodies that target red blood cells. Red blood cell antibodies may cause harm to you after a transfusion or, if you are pregnant, to your baby. An RBC antibody screen can find these antibodies before they cause health problems.Antibodies are proteins made by your body to attack foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. Red blood cell antibodies may show up in your blood if you are exposed to red blood cells other than your own. This usually happens after a blood transfusion or during pregnancy, if a mother's blood comes in contact with her unborn baby's blood. Sometimes the immune system acts like these red blood cells are "foreign" and will attack them.Other names: antibody screen, indirect antiglobulin test, indirect anti-human globulin test, IAT, indirect coombs test, erythrocyte Ab
