February 20, 2020
SART and ASRM issue advice for infertility patients concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Currently the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been contained mostly to the Wuhan region of China, although there is growing evidence that the epidemic is spreading globally. It is important to note that at this point we are still learning about this virus and, for now, little is known about its impact on reproduction and pregnancy.
Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART) suggest that individuals who are pregnant or seeking to initiate a pregnancy soon, avoid non-essential travel to known areas of infection or contact with potentially infected individuals.This advice applies to both men and women.
Patients, including prospective oocyte and sperm donors, as well as gestational carriers, who meet the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 infection should avoid becoming pregnant. If they are undergoing active infertility treatment, we suggest that these patients consider freezing all oocytes or embryos and avoiding an embryo transfer until they are disease-free.
Furthermore, ASRM and SART are concerned that there may be intended parents who are using a gestational carrier to build their families whose travel may be restricted due to the virus, and who may then be unable to join their newborn in a timely manner. Consequently, we strongly encourage all intended parents and the legal professionals, organizations, and programs that facilitate these arrangements to promptly take the necessary steps to identify families that may be affected and develop contingencies in the event that these babies need to be cared for following their birth.
ASRM/SART member clinics who work with gestational carriers and intended parents are requested to reach out to their patients and those organizations and programs who facilitate gestational carrier arrangements to encourage them to ensure these steps are taken. Additionally, all reproductive health care professionals and their patients are encouraged to stay abreast of the latest guidelines and updates issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites regarding evolving developments concerning the COVID-19 epidemic.
Additional information can be obtained at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html
https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/novel-coronavirus-covid-19