The Impact of Previous Exposure to COVID-19 on the Outcome of ICSI Cycles.

OBJECTIVE

Due to the large increase in the number of reported cases and the impact of COVID-19 on public health, the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) recommended the cessation of all activities related to assisted reproduction. There are many unknowns about the long-term effects of the virus on fertility and pregnancy. We conducted this study to offer some evidence-based guidance on the relationship between COVID-19 and IVF/ICSI cycle outcomes.

METHODS

This observational study included 179 patients who underwent ICSI cycles at the Albaraka Fertility Hospital, Manama, Bahrain and the Almana hospital, KSA. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 88 individuals with a history of Covid-19 and Group 2 included 91 subjects without a history of COVID-19.

RESULTS

Despite the higher pregnancy (45.1% vs. 36.4%, with p=0.264) and fertilization (52% vs. 50.6% with p=0.647) rates seen in patients without a history of COVID-19, the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no clear evidence that exposure to COVID-19 significantly affects ICSI cycle outcomes.