RhoGAM is indicated for which of these patients?

• A. Rh-neg mother who has an Rh-neg infant
• B. Rh-pos mother who has an Rh-pos infant
• C. Rh-pos mother who has an Rh-neg infant
• D. Rh-neg mother who has an Rh-pos infant

Answer: (D)

RhoGAM provides anti-D antibodies to a mother who is Rh-negative in order to prevent her immune system from becoming sensitized to the Rh antigen when fetal Rh-positive red cells enter her circulation. The most common and critical scenario is an Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive infant, where exposure can occur during pregnancy or at delivery. By binding any Rh-positive fetal red cells in the mother’s blood, RhoGAM stops the mother’s immune system from mounting a response, preventing the formation of anti-D antibodies that could harm future Rh-positive pregnancies. It’s not needed for Rh-positive mothers, who already have the Rh antigen, and not necessary if the infant is Rh-negative.