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Health Sciences Authority

Immunohaematology Laboratory

Learn about the immunohaematology laboratory.

Last updated 13 March 2026

Overview

The Red Cell Reference Laboratory make up the immunohaematology section in Blood Services Group (BSG).

The Red Cell Reference Laboratory provides specialised referral services to hospitals and clinical laboratories that encounter difficulties in red cell investigation. The investigational services provided range from identification and characterisation of atypical antibody, red cell auto-antibody, cold antibody and resolution of ABO discrepancies. The Red Cell Reference Laboratory also runs the National Proficiency Testing Program for ABO Grouping and Rh Typing for participating clinical laboratories in Singapore.

Download here - Serology Investigation Request Form [PDF, 1.9 MB]

List of Immunohaematological Tests

Immunohaematological tests

Test description

Turn-around-time(in working days)

Sample requirement

Remarks

  • ABO & RH Grouping

  • Red Cell Antibody Screening

  • Reference lab: 5 working days

  • 7ml EDTA sample

  • Neonates: 2ml whole blood

  • Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

  • For neonatal transfusion (baby is less than 4 months old), mother's sample may be required.

Neonatal ABO & Rh Grouping

5

2ml EDTA sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

Neonatal Jaundice Profile - NNJ

5

10ml clotted sample (mother) and 1ml EDTA baby sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

  • Red Cell Allo Antibody Identification

  • Red Cell Antibody ID - Acid Elution

5

  • 10ml clotted sample

  • 5ml EDTA sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

Red Cell Auto Antibody Identification

7

  • 10ml clotted sample

  • 5ml EDTA sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

  • Red Cell Direct Coombs Test

  • Monospecific Direct Coombs Test

5

  • 5ml EDTA sample

  • Paediatric: 1ml whole blood

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

  • Cold Agglutinin Screen

  • Cold Agglutinin Titration

5

10ml clotted sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

  • Antibody Titration - Coombs

  • Antibody Titration - ABO (Anti A)

  • Antibody Titration - ABO (Anti B)

5

10ml clotted sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

Red Cell RH Phenotype

5

  • 5ml EDTA sample (preferable)

  • 10ml clotted sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

Antigen Typing:

  • Kell

  • Js

  • Kp

  • Kidd

  • Luthens

  • Lewis

  • Duffy

  • Ext Duf

  • MN

  • S

  • P1

5

  • 5ml EDTA sample (preferable)

  • 10ml clotted sample

Fresh sample preferred. If stored, sample should have been at 2 - 8 degrees celsius for not more than 48 hours.

Cryoglubulin Detection (cold 4 degrees celsius)

7

  • 10ml clotted (red).

  • Sample is allowed to clot at 37 degrees celsius prior to serum separation.

N.A.

Donath Lansteiner

5

  • 10ml clotted (red).

  • Sample is allowed to clot at 37 degrees celsius prior to serum separation.

N.A.

Indirect Antiglobulin Test

5

  • 5ml EDTA sample (preferable)

  • 10ml clotted sample

N.A.