December 2025

OB-GYN

CLINICAL TRIAL TARGETS HEPATITIS C IN PREGNANCY AND INFANCY

Featuring: Lynn M. Yee, MD, MPH, Jennifer Jao, MD, MPH

​Northwestern Medicine is redefining excellence in obstetrics and gynecology through research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges in maternal and infant health.

Transforming hepatitis C care in pregnancy and infancy
One area of focus is hepatitis C in pregnancy and infancy, a condition historically overlooked in research and treatment. Until recently, testing for infants exposed to hepatitis C during pregnancy was often delayed until after 18 months because maternal antibodies interfered with results. This delay meant many infants were never tested, leaving them vulnerable to complications such as liver scarring and fibrosis. That is about to change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will soon release new guidelines recommending a single HCV RNA PCR test between two and six months of age. This streamlined approach eliminates confusion, reduces delays and leverages routine newborn visits for timely screening.

Northwestern Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago are participating in a national study through the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT). This trial will enroll pregnant patients with confirmed hepatitis C who are undergoing treatment, addressing a long-standing gap in research and care. Historically, pregnant patients have been excluded from hepatitis C treatment for reasons rooted in outdated practices. In addition, our team has secured CDC funding to create a video-based learning model for physicians. This resource will help clinicians understand hepatitis C in pregnancy and infancy, improve patient counseling and initiate treatment more effectively.

Leadership in Infectious Disease and Maternal Health
Our leadership extends beyond hepatitis C research. Jennifer Jao, MD, MPH,  a nationally recognized infectious disease expert, now helps lead the AIDS Clinical Trials Network, reinforcing Northwestern Medicine’s role in advancing maternal and pediatric HIV research. Lynn M. Yee, MD, MPH, division chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, continues to champion maternal health and evidence-based care, ensuring our program remains at the forefront of improving outcomes.

These initiatives reflect Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to intelligent, patient-centered innovation. By integrating cutting-edge research with clinical practice, we are shaping protocols that improve maternal and infant health nationwide.
To see this innovation in action, watch our video featuring Dr. Yee as she shares Northwestern Medicine’s groundbreaking approach to hepatitis C treatment during pregnancy using direct-acting antivirals, a revolutionary advancement that transforms patient care and helps prevent mother-to-baby transmission.
Lynn M. Yee, MD, MPH, Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Thomas J. Watkins Memorial Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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