Rh Immunoprophylaxis: Is Antepartum Therapy Desirable?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently considered a recommendation that all pregnant Rh-negative women be given Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks' gestation to prevent antepartum Rh immunization in the third trimester. Although the final decision was to refrain from such a broad recommendation, the Committee on Obstetrical Practice is expected to suggest this prophylaxis as a course that the individual physician may wish to consider. If this practice becomes routine, it will have a number of consequences that we believe may not be in the public's best interest. Therefore, we wish to review briefly the current status . . .