WinRho prophylaxis should be administered in which of the following situations to prevent maternal antibody formation?

WinRho prophylaxis should be administered in which of the following situations to prevent maternal antibody formation?

• A. Following the birth of an Rh-negative newborn
• B. Following a spontaneous or induced abortion
• C. Following all births, regardless of blood type and Rh factor
• D. Following an ABO-incompatible birth

Answer: (B)

WinRho (Rh immune globulin) is given to an Rh-negative person after events that can allow fetal red cells to enter the maternal bloodstream, to prevent the mother’s immune system from forming anti-D antibodies. After a spontaneous or induced abortion, fetal blood can mix with maternal blood, so administering RhIG helps neutralize any Rh-positive cells and reduces the risk of sensitization that could cause problems in future pregnancies. If the newborn is Rh-negative, there’s no exposure to the D antigen, so RhIG isn’t needed. ABO incompatibility involves different antibodies and antigens and isn’t prevented by Rh immune globulin. Prophylaxis after all births isn’t appropriate because it’s only needed when the mother is Rh-negative and there’s potential exposure to Rh-positive fetal cells.

WinRho (Rh immune globulin) is given to an Rh-negative person after events that can allow fetal red cells to enter the maternal bloodstream, to prevent the mother’s immune system from forming anti-D antibodies. After a spontaneous or induced abortion, fetal blood can mix with maternal blood, so administering RhIG helps neutralize any Rh-positive cells and reduces the risk of sensitization that could cause problems in future pregnancies. If the newborn is Rh-negative, there’s no exposure to the D antigen, so RhIG isn’t needed. ABO incompatibility involves different antibodies and antigens and isn’t prevented by Rh immune globulin. Prophylaxis after all births isn’t appropriate because it’s only needed when the mother is Rh-negative and there’s potential exposure to Rh-positive fetal cells.