Baby girl born from another embryo, ASL Napoli 1: "No exchange, the couple has no other children in the world."

Naples – It wasn't a "mutual embryo exchange," but a tragic and isolated error during implantation. This was clarified by the Naples Local Health Authority (ASL) 1, which intervened to shed light on the case of a baby girl born at San Paolo Hospital following heterologous fertilization and found to be genetically unrelated to the parents who discovered and raised her.

The health authority's clarification aims to reassure the couple about a crucial aspect that has tormented them during their wait: their frozen embryos were not implanted in another woman. This means that there isn't, somewhere, a second biological child born without their knowledge.

Checks and suspension of service

The statement released by the Local Health Authority traces the steps of a case that began about a year ago, when the case was reported and triggered internal investigations. The health authority, declaring itself the "injured party," immediately initiated a clinical audit and dispatched a multidisciplinary inspection team.

As a precautionary and emergency measure, all activities at the Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAP) center at San Paolo Hospital were immediately suspended to allow for investigations and the implementation of safety protocols.

Renovation and new technologies

Over the past twelve months, the facility has undergone a significant structural, technological, and management reorganization. The company initiated a comprehensive inventory of stored samples and upgraded the cryobank and embryology and semen analysis laboratories, equipping them with state-of-the-art equipment to eliminate the risk of human or procedural errors.

Outpatient services and initial contact with couples on the waiting list officially resumed in the first week of August. Currently, only the final administrative certifications are pending for the center's full reopening.

Trust in the judiciary

Reiterating its solidarity with those involved, the ASL Napoli 1 concludes by confirming its "full confidence in the judiciary's work and the definitive determination of the facts," claiming it has taken every necessary action to protect the public interest, the safety of procedures, and the health of patients.