Final answer:
RhoGAM is given to Rh-negative pregnant women to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) by neutralizing fetal Rh-positive red blood cells and preventing sensitization of the mother's immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
RhoGAM is administered to pregnant women who are Rh-negative to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). HDN occurs when a mother with Rh-negative blood type develops antibodies against Rh-positive fetal red blood cells. During a first pregnancy with an Rh-positive baby, these antibodies are usually not a concern because it takes time for them to develop. However, during subsequent pregnancies with Rh-positive fetuses, these already developed antibodies can cross the placenta and destroy the fetal red blood cells, leading to serious health issues for the unborn baby.
RhoGAM contains anti-Rh antibodies that neutralize any fetal Rh-positive red blood cells that might have entered the mother's bloodstream before they can stimulate an immune response. The drug is helpful in preventing the mother's immune system from being sensitized to Rh-positive cells. This is why RhoGAM is administered during the 26th to 28th weeks of pregnancy and within 72 hours after childbirth, or after any event that might result in fetal blood entering the maternal circulation (like amniocentesis or abdominal trauma).
Since its introduction, the use of RhoGAM has significantly reduced the incidence of HDN from around 13-14 percent down to about 0.1 percent. This drastic reduction has made RhoGAM an essential treatment in prenatal care for Rh-negative women to ensure the health and safety of their infants.