We Are Now an Official Testing Hub for Sperm DNA Fragmentation (Examen Tests)

This one is close to my heart…

During the 1980s and 1990s, the Bristol Royal Infirmary became the centre of what would later be called the Bristol Baby Heart Scandal. Survival rates for babies with congenital heart defects were significantly worse than at other NHS hospitals, and an official inquiry later found that dozens of children may have died as a result. The scandal was so shocking that a film, Innocents, was released in 2000, depicting the heartbreaking experience of parents being told their baby had died.

I was one of those babies. At 11 months old, I underwent surgery at the BRI to repair a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) — a form of congenital heart defect (CHD). My parents were told my chance of survival was 50/50, though the true survival rate was even lower. Of those who did survive, many later faced severe complications.

CHDs affect about 1 in 100 babies born in the UK. Their causes are complex, involving both maternal and paternal factors. Maternal conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes or lupus, and risk factors like smoking, are well established. Emerging research also suggests that damage to sperm DNA (known as sperm DNA fragmentation) may play a role in some congenital anomalies, including heart defects, though more evidence is needed.

The concept of sperm DNA fragmentation was first studied in the 1980s, and yet here we are in 2025 and many fertility clinics still don’t discuss it. While not considered routine, some scientists view sperm DNA fragmentation testing as an important tool — particularly in cases of unexplained infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

Reducing sperm DNA fragmentation may lower miscarriage risk, and researchers are exploring possible links to other health outcomes in children. Although the science is still developing, there is encouraging evidence that DNA damage can often be improved. Lifestyle changes, nutritional support, and therapies such as acupuncture — which in some studies has been shown to reduce scrotal temperature — may all play a part.

For babies born today with congenital heart defects, prognosis is generally much better. But with the right testing and preparation, couples may be able to reduce certain risks and enter pregnancy with greater peace of mind.

👉 Contact us to learn more about our role as an Examen testing hub for sperm DNA fragmentation.