Successful prevention of post-transfusion Rh alloimmunization by intravenous Rho (D) immune globulin (WinRho SD).

Alloimmunization to the D blood group antigen following the transfusion of D-positive red blood cells to a D-negative recipient may be prevented in most persons by a prompt and adequate dose of Rho (D) immune globulin (RhIG). Until recently, the only RhIG approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this indication required intramuscular injection, an inconvenient and painful route for the relatively large volume that may be required. We describe the successful prevention of Rh alloimmunization following the unintentional transfusion of D-positive red blood cells to a D-negative infant by the intravenous infusion of WinRho SD, a new RhIG that is FDA-approved for prevention of post-transfusion Rh alloimmunization by intravenous administration. We believe that this more convenient and less painful approach should be the treatment of choice for preventing Rh alloimmunization following the transfusion of D-positive red cells to a D-negative recipient.