Rh-immune globulin in induced abortion: Utilization in a high-risk population

Abstract

Among 1,731 women undergoing induced abortion, there were 236 who had Rh-negative blood and no anti-Rh antibody prior to abortion. Nearly 3 4 of the Rh-negative patients were under 25 years of age, and 55.6 per cent were nulliparous; approximately equal numbers of patients underwent abortion during the first and second trimesters. Rh-immune globulin was not given to 31.8 per cent of the unimmunized Rh-negative patients. Studies indicate that 5 to 10 per cent of unprotected patients undergoing induced abortion may become immunized to Rh: failure to use Rh-immune globulin could result in large numbers of infants affected with Rh hemolytic disease. The need for Rh prophylaxis to prevent such morbidity and death is underscored by the fact that the growing abortion population, in general, has an active childbearing future. © 1972.