Assisted reproduction after SARS-CoV-2-infection: results of a single-center cohort-study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Purpose: The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections on the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were studied in a retrospective cohort study. Methods: The outcome of 1581 treatment cycles with embryo transfer at a university fertility center in Germany was compared in years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 335 treatment cycles in 2022 a detailed analysis was carried out depending on infection and immunization status of both partners. Results: ART cycles did not differ in most of the parameters examined between 2018–2022. In spite of comparable clinical pregnancy rates, there was a significantly higher miscarriage rate at 34.6% (27/78) in 2022, compared to 19.7% (29/147) in the pre-pandemic years of 2018–2019 (p = 0.014). In 37.0% of the treatment cycles (124/335) 2022 at least one partner reported a SARS-CoV-2-Infection 6 months before ART, mostly with the virus variant Omicron. Clinical pregnancy rates were lower in cycles without infection. Comparing women with confirmed infection to no infection, a significantly higher risk of miscarriage was seen (62.5% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.009). In treatment cycles of partners with basic immunization against SARS-CoV-2 a statistically significant increase of pregnancy rates was seen comparing to cycles with both unvaccinated partners (p = 0.011). Conclusion: The results indicate a negative impact of SARS-CoV-2-infections up to 6 months on ART treatment, in particular an increased risk of miscarriage. Vaccination was associated with a better outcome of ART treatment.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)305-313
Number of pages9
JournalArchives of gynecology and obstetrics
Volume309
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 37815640
Mendeley a7e05a36-6141-3cb8-bcd3-22813a9b3517

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • COVID-19, IVF, Miscarriage, Omicron, Pregnancy, SARS-CoV-2, Pandemics, COVID-19/complications, Humans, Female, Retrospective Studies, Abortion, Spontaneous/epidemiology