Restart algorithm of infertility and IVF procedures in patients with desire of baby throughout COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 infection, which was first detected in Wuhan region of China, spread rapidly in a short time, caused a very serious epidemic and was declared as a pandemic. This manuscript has been prepared as a recommendation for centers planning to restart assisted reproductive technology treatments to protect both patients and health personnel. To carry out the treatment, surgery and in vitro fertilization for patients who are infertile and are willing to have a child should not be victims of time loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients before or after infertility treatment are evaluated by healthcare personnel using personal protective equipment in the triage section for the symptoms and risk factors defined in the COVID-19 Infection Guideline of the Ministry of Health. Body fluids (blood, follicular fluid, semen, etc.) of the patients should be considered as potentially infectious. Samples from patients infected with COVID-19 are recommended to be used in the same way as tissues from patients who are seropositive for other infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis). Infertility treatment and IVF procedures should be evaluated multidisciplinary and managed according to the COVID-19 guidelines in patients with infertility especially in poor ovarian reserve, severe male factor infertility, advanced age and also urgent fertility preservation condition.