In countries without Rh immune globulin (RhIG) protocols, as many as 14% of affected fetuses are stillborn and 50% of live births result in neonatal death or brain injury. This usually has minimal effect on the first such pregnancy but, in a second such pregnancy, pre-existing maternal antibodies to RhD antigens on fetal red blood cells often leads to erythroblastosis fetalis, a condition which can be fatal to the fetus. If a fetus is RhD positive and the mother is RhD negative, the mother is at risk of RhD alloimmunization, where the mother mounts an immune response (develops antibodies) to fetal red blood cells. If the father is heterozygous, there is a 50% chance that the fetus will be RhD positive, as he will randomly pass on either the RhD positive allele or not. If the father is homozygous, the fetus will necessarily be RhD positive, as the father will necessarily pass on a Rh D positive allele. In a pregnancy where the mother is RhD negative and the father is RhD positive, the probability of the fetus having RhD positive blood is dependent on whether the father is homozygous for RhD (i.e., both RhD alleles are present) or heterozygous (i.e., only one RhD allele is present). Medical uses Image of a positive Kleihauer–Betke test the pink smudges are foetal-haemoglobin-containing red blood cells that have entered maternal circulation.

RhIG is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 1980, Gorman shared the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for pioneering work on the rhesus blood group system. Rh o(D) immune globulin came into medical use in the 1960s, following the pioneering work of John G. It is believed to work by blocking a person's immune system from recognizing this antigen. Rho(D) immune globulin is made up of antibodies to the antigen Rh o(D) present on some red blood cells. In those with ITP, the amount of red blood cell breakdown may be significant. Other side effects include allergic reactions, kidney problems, and a very small risk of viral infections. Ĭommon side effects include fever, headache, pain at the site of injection, and red blood cell breakdown. It is given by injection into muscle or a vein. It may also be used when RhD-negative people are given RhD-positive blood. It is often given both during and following pregnancy. Rh o(D) immune globulin ( RhIG) is a medication used to prevent RhD isoimmunization in mothers who are RhD negative and to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in people who are Rh positive.

Rhogam shot