antiDimmunoglobuliinin

Anti-D immunoglobulin, also known as Rho(D) immune globulin or Rh immunoglobulin, is a human antibody preparation used to prevent Rh alloimmunization. This condition occurs when an Rh-negative individual is exposed to Rh-positive blood, typically during pregnancy when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus. The mother's immune system can recognize the Rh factor on the fetal red blood cells as foreign and produce antibodies against it.

This maternal antibody production can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies, where the maternal antibodies cross the placenta and attack the fetal red blood cells, causing anemia, jaundice, and potentially severe complications or even fetal death. Anti-D immunoglobulin works by binding to and destroying any Rh-positive fetal red blood cells that may have entered the mother's bloodstream before her immune system can mount an antibody response.

Anti-D immunoglobulin is typically administered intramuscularly to Rh-negative pregnant women at around 28 weeks of gestation and again within 72 hours after delivery if the baby is Rh-positive. It is also given after events that could cause fetomaternal hemorrhage, such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, abdominal trauma, or miscarriage. Regular screening for Rh status is crucial in prenatal care to identify women who would benefit from this prophylaxis. The widespread use of anti-D immunoglobulin has significantly reduced the incidence of HDN.