Rh immune globulin (RhIG) is used to prevent anti-D production resulting from pregnancy and transfusion. One use relates to transfusion of platelet concentrates from D-positive donors to Rh negative recipients, especially recipients of child bearing age or younger.
Since platelets do not have D antigens, why is RhIG needed?
Platelet concentrates from D-positive donors are often contaminated with small volumes of D-positive red cells and the D antigen is very immunogenic.
