Final answer:
RhoGAM is administered to Rh mothers during weeks 26-28 of pregnancy and within 72 hours following birth to prevent the development of Rh antibodies and reduce the risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
Step-by-step explanation:
RhoGAM is normally administered to Rh mothers during weeks 26-28 of pregnancy and within 72 hours following birth. This drug is given if it is needed to prevent the development of Rh antibodies in the mother, which can cause a potentially serious disease for the fetus called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). RhoGAM antibodies destroy any fetal Rh erythrocytes that may cross the placental barrier, reducing the risk of HDN. Since the introduction of RhoGAM, the incidence of HDN has dropped from about 13-14 percent to about 0.1% in the United States.