Final answer:
RhoGAM is recommended for Rh-negative patients at risk of Rh isoimmunization during the 26-28th weeks of pregnancy and within 72 hours post-birth to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
Step-by-step explanation:
Current recommendations for RhoGAM administration in patients at risk for Rh isoimmunization indicate that it should be given during weeks 26-28 of pregnancy and within 72 hours following birth. RhoGAM, which stands for Rh immune globulin, works by preventing the production of Rh antibodies in an Rh-negative parent. If these antibodies are produced, they can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies, which can have severe consequences for the fetus. Administering RhoGAM effectively reduces the incidence of HDN from about 13-14 percent to approximately 0.1 percent in the United States. Additional doses may be necessary after medical procedures that risk causing fetal-maternal hemorrhage, such as amniocentesis or abdominal trauma.