SARS-CoV-2 and Assisted Reproductive Technology Practice: An Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) Position Paper

• Main Authors: Budi Wiweko, Tuong M. Ho, Rong Li, Tin-Chiu Li, Chii-Ruey Tzeng, Gab Kovacs, Atsushi Tanaka, Jung Ryeol Lee, Hrishikesh Pai, Haroon Latif Khan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: World Scientific Publishing 2020-12-01
• Series: Fertility & Reproduction
• Subjects: sars-cov-2; covid-19; assisted reproductive technology; intrauterine insemination; infertility; in vitro fertilization; intracytoplasmic sperm injection; guideline; expert opinion
• Online Access: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/epdf/10.1142/S2661318220500188
• ISSN: 2661-3182; 2661-3174

Background: Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) aims to improve knowledge and awareness of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and infertility-related services, with the aim of improving the quality of patient care. Methods: A survey was developed and responded by a group of 10 ASPIRE board members to gather in-depth information about current practices, recommendations, and perceptions about SARS-CoV-2 and ART. The collected data were summarized and individual responses pooled among questions requiring voting. The overall rates were computed by response category. The group discussed the summary evidence, until a consensus was reached concerning a series of recommendation on how to make decisions concerning ART service provision during the current (and any future) pandemic. A two-tier recommendation was developed based on agreement rate and implementation priority. Tier 1 comprises recommendations in which the rate of “absolutely agree” responses were ≥60%, whereas tier 2 refers to recommendations in which the rate of “absolutely agree” plus “agree” was >60%, but the rate of “absolutely agree” was ≤50%. Results: The survey was responded by all participants between July 24 and July 30, 2020. Nine tier 1 and five tier 2 recommendations are provided concerning prevention, testing, personal protective equipment, informed consent, and quality management. The former indicates the situations in which most individuals should receive the intervention/procedure, whereas the latter relates to those that may be suitable for individual clinics and patients. Conclusions: This document provides the ASPIRE viewpoint on better managing infertile patients seeking ART during the COVID-19 pandemic. This expert opinion guide aims to help both competent authorities and healthcare providers to deliver quality and safe ART.