Final answer:
Rh-negative moms who have received RhoGAM during previous pregnancies have a significantly reduced risk of becoming sensitized to Rh. The drug prevents the development of Rh antibodies, thereby decreasing the incidence of hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Step-by-step explanation:
While sensitization may occur when an Rh-negative individual is exposed to Rh-positive blood, RhoGAM significantly reduces this risk. Administered during the 26-28 week of pregnancy and within 72 hours after birth, RhoGAM works by destroying any fetal Rh-positive erythrocytes that cross into the mother's bloodstream before her immune system can become sensitized to the Rh-positive cells.
Prior to using RhoGAM, the incidence of HDN (hemolytic disease of the newborn) in subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies to an Rh-negative mother was about 13-14%. Since the introduction of RhoGAM in 1968, the incidence has dropped dramatically to approximately 0.1% in the United States. However, it is crucial for RhoGAM to be administered in every pregnancy with an Rh-positive fetus, as failure to do so can result in the mother's sensitization and potential health risks for the fetus.