Rh immune globulin


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Brand Name Chemical Name
RhoGAMRh immune globulin

How It Works


Rh immune globulin contains antibodies to the Rh factor in blood. The antibodies are obtained from donors who have become sensitized to the Rh factor. Giving these Rh antibodies to an Rh-negative pregnant woman prevents her immune system from producing its own Rh antibodies, which would attack her Rh-positive fetus's red blood cells.

When introduced into an Rh-negative mother's bloodstream, Rh immune globulin antibodies locate any Rh-positive fetal red blood cells that are present. The antibodies attach to the Rh-positive red blood cells, masking their presence from the mother's immune system. Although the Rh immune globulin antibodies destroy fetal red blood cells, not enough are destroyed to harm the fetus.

Rh immune globulin is given by injection into a muscle (intramuscular, or IM).


Why It Is Used


Rh immune globulin is given to all Rh-negative women who may be carrying an Rh-positive fetus. While it prevents Rh sensitization, Rh immune globulin cannot prevent damage to an Rh-positive fetus if the mother is already sensitized to the Rh factor.

Rh immune globulin should be given to an Rh-negative woman to prevent sensitization:1


How Well It Works


Rh immune globulin is highly successful at preventing sensitization in a current pregnancy. When given at 28 weeks and within 72 hours of delivery of an Rh-positive child, it has a success rate of greater than 99%.1


Side Effects


Side effects from Rh immune globulin are extremely rare and include:

  • Discomfort at the site of injection.
  • Slight fever.
  • An allergic reaction to trace amounts of proteins in the injection.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)


What To Think About


Although Rh immune globulin is not given to a woman who has become sensitized to the Rh factor, it is not harmful to a sensitized woman.

The dosage of Rh immune globulin can be adjusted to protect against exposure to varying amounts of Rh-positive blood. Exposure to large amounts of Rh-positive blood—caused by an injury, accidental transfusion with Rh-positive blood, or complication during labor and delivery—will require a higher dose of Rh immune globulin. A smaller-than-average dose may be given after an ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) in early pregnancy.

Rh immune globulin should not be given within 2 months of an immunization, because it will block the benefit of the immunization.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.


References


Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1999). Prevention of Rh D alloimmunization. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 4. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 93(5): 1–7.


Credits


Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Lisa Shaw
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD

- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG

- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD

- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated November 10, 2005

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Last updated: November 10, 2005
Author: Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Lisa Shaw

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