A Rh-negative mother has delivered an Rh-positive infant. What postpartum intervention is used to prevent Rh alloimmunization?

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When an Rh-negative mother has an Rh-positive baby, fetal Rh-positive red blood cells can enter the mother’s circulation during delivery. If the mother becomes sensitized, she will form anti-D antibodies that can cross the placenta in future pregnancies and attack the fetus’s red cells, causing hemolytic disease of the newborn. The preventive measure is administering Rh immune globulin (RhIg), such as Rhogam, to the mother after birth. This immune globulin binds any Rh-positive cells in the mother’s circulation so her immune system doesn’t form antibodies against the Rh antigen, thereby preventing alloimmunization. The standard postpartum window for this intervention is within 72 hours after birth, which is why this option is preferred over others like iron supplementation or no intervention.