RHOGAM Meaning and
Definition
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RhoGAM is a medical product that is used to prevent complications related to Rh incompatibility during pregnancy. It is a brand name for a human immunoglobulin product known as anti-D immune globulin. RhoGAM is primarily used in cases where the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive.
Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus. This can lead to the development of antibodies in the mother's blood that can attack and harm subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies. However, RhoGAM works by preventing the production of these harmful antibodies.
The RhoGAM injection is typically administered to the pregnant woman around the 28th week of pregnancy. It contains antibodies that bind to the Rh-positive fetal red blood cells in the mother's bloodstream, preventing her immune system from recognising them as foreign and producing antibodies against them. RhoGAM may also be given after the delivery of an Rh-positive baby, or after certain procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling that pose a risk of fetal blood mixing with the mother's blood.
By receiving RhoGAM, pregnant women who are Rh-negative can reduce the risk of complications such as hemolytic disease of the newborn, where the mother's antibodies can attack and destroy the baby's red blood cells, potentially leading to severe anemia or even death.
Overall, RhoGAM is an essential medical intervention in managing Rh incompatibility during pregnancy, serving to protect the health of both mother and baby.
Common Misspellings for RHOGAM
Etymology of RHOGAM
The word "RhoGAM" is a combination of two parts: "Rho" and "GAM".
The "Rho" part refers to the Rhesus blood group system, which is named after the Rhesus monkey. In 1937, Karl Landsteiner and Alexander Weiner discovered the Rhesus factor (Rh antigen) on the red blood cells of Rhesus monkeys, hence the name.
The "GAM" part is an abbreviation for "gamma globulin", a type of protein found in blood plasma. Gamma globulin contains antibodies that help fight against specific antigens, and in the case of RhoGAM, it specifically refers to the Anti-D antibody.
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