Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Course of Pregnancy and Birth After Assisted Reproduction

The aim of this single center cohort study was to examine the possible effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially the Omicron variant, on outcome of pregnancy and birth after infertility treatment with assisted reproduction.

A total of 51 pregnancies and births after assisted reproduction were investigated in the period from 01/2022 to 12/2022 in a university fertility center with regards to SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccination status. Eight multiple pregnancies were assessed separately. 20 women with singleton pregnancy had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the six months prior to or during the pregnancy. This group was compared to 23 singleton pregnancies without SARS-CoV-2 infection or with infection had occurred more than six months before assisted reproduction.

The comparison of single pregnancy with or without SARS-CoV-2 showed no differences considering age or body mass index. Complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta previa, placental insufficiency, and preterm labor were also comparable for both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to gestational age at delivery, birth weight, birth mode, and APGAR scores. A comparison of the course of pregnancy in women with and women without basic immunization also showed no significant differences.

In the study period of 2022, infection with SARS-CoV-2, in most cases with the Omicron variant, during or up to six months prior to a pregnancy following assisted reproduction did not significantly affect the risk of maternal and fetal complications of pregnancy from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy or the fetoneonatal outcome.