(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Hepatitis C in pregnancy and infancy can cause of number of health issues, but two Chicago hospitals are teaming up to change that.
Northwestern Medicine and Lurie Children's Hospital are collaborating to treat and hopefully cure cases of Hepatitis C in pregnant women and their babies.
Dr. Lynn Yee who specializes in maternal fetal medicine explains the dangers.
"Although it can be a chronic issue for many people, in pregnancy one of the things we are particularly concerned about is transmission of the virus from the mother to the baby as well as hepatitis C is associated with other risks like pre-term birth, babies who are too small, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy."
Normally treatment of Hepatitis C in pregnant women doesn't begin until after they give birth, but Dr. Yee said there are benefits to beginning treatment earlier.
"By treating moms during pregnancy and potentially curing her hepatitis C, we think there’s a good chance we can eliminate the chance of transmission of hepatitis C from the mother to the baby."
According to Northwestern Medicine, five pregnant women who completed the new treatment plan through the Women's Infectious Disease program are seeing results equivalent to "a cure."
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram