Navigating assisted reproduction treatment in the time of COVID-19: concerns and considerations
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COMMENTARY
Navigating assisted reproduction treatment in the time of COVID-19: concerns and considerations Mara Simopoulou 1,2 & Konstantinos Sfakianoudis 3 & Polina Giannelou 1,3 & Anna Rapani 1,2 & Charalampos Siristatidis 2 & Panagiotis Bakas 2 & Nikolaos Vlahos 2 & Konstantinos Pantos 3 Received: 3 August 2020 / Accepted: 7 September 2020 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled numerous debates in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) as the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy and infancy is still considered uncharted territory. Various theses and recommendations on what optimal practice is have emerged, as evidenced by surveys, webinars, and recent publications. ART specialists are faced with dilemmas in light of the lack of concrete scientific evidence required to pave the way towards future safe practice. Meanwhile, infertile couples were similarly left in limbo unable to exercise their reproductive autonomy unlike fertile couples—where achieving a pregnancy via natural conception is a matter of decision. ART treatment being classified as non-essential has only recently re-started, facing new challenges while enabling pregnancy at a time of uncertainty. This article highlights matters of bioethical nature to be considered in the ART world at the time of COVID-19 while presenting an all-inclusive critique of the current status. When pursuing pregnancy through IVF treatment during the pandemic, distancing and caution have the lead role in an effort to defend the health of the intended parents and future children. To promote patient autonomy along with our ethical, moral, and legal duty towards our patients, emphasis should be given on ascertaining shared decision-making, and ensuring that an appropriate all-inclusive informed consent is signed prior to initiating any IVF treatment. Keywords Reproductive technologies . Public health . Right to health care . Professional ethics
ART as “non-essential” care, the response of the ART field, and discrepancies in management As the COVID-19 pandemic introduced an unprecedented strain on the global health care system, numerous countries issued directives and instructions suggesting that nonessential care must be discontinued, in an effort to reorganize
* Mara Simopoulou [email protected] 1
Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
2
Assisted Conception Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vasilissis Sofias, 11528 Athens, Greece
3
Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Papanikoli, 15232 Athens, Greece
resources to fight the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 [1]. The definition “non-essential care” triggered a rise of concern on behalf of special interest groups. Considering that the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) does not constitute a first-line field of Medicine, in com
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