Final answer:
The correct option is 72 hours. Anti-immunoglobulin D (RhoGAM) should be administrated within 72 hours of delivery to prevent the development of Rh antibodies in Rh mothers and avoid hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is 72 hours. Within 72 hours of delivery, the administration of anti-immunoglobulin D (RhoGAM) is recommended to prevent the development of Rh antibodies in Rh mothers and avert hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), which can occur when the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive. RhoGAM is injected intravenously or intramuscularly to destroy fetal Rh erythrocytes that may have crossed the placental barrier in order to reduce the risk of HDN. It is important to administer RhoGAM promptly within 72 hours after delivery to ensure its effectiveness.