Italian toddler dies after damaged donor heart transplant sparks national outrage
A two-year-old boy in Italy has died after receiving a donor heart that was allegedly damaged during transportation, triggering a criminal investigation and widespread public anger.
Domenico died shortly before 09:30 local time on Saturday at Monaldi Hospital, according to the family’s lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi. The hospital said the child suffered a “sudden and irreversible worsening of his clinical condition” after being on life support for nearly two months.
The donor heart, transplanted in late December, was reportedly transported in direct contact with dry ice, causing severe tissue damage. Prosecutors have opened a formal investigation into the case, placing six medical professionals under investigation over the handling and transport of the organ.
Petruzzi said the heart arrived “burned by frostbite” after being carried more than 800km from Bolzano to Naples in an unsuitable container, allegedly without a thermometer to monitor the dangerously low temperature.
Earlier this week, a panel of paediatric specialists concluded that Domenico’s condition was “not compatible” with another transplant. Doctors also warned that prolonged use of life support may have compromised his lungs, liver and kidneys.
On Wednesday, Petruzzi said the family would seek access to all medical records. “If the time for hope has ended, then the time for responsibility has begun,” he stated.
Domenico’s mother, Patrizia Mercolino, had previously made a public appeal to Pope Francis to help save her son.
Italy’s Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said the incident must be fully clarified. “We owe it to the child, to the family, and to all Italians,” he said, adding that while Italy has “an excellent national health service,” the tragedy must not undermine public trust.
The case has ignited nationwide debate over medical protocols, organ transport standards and accountability within Italy’s healthcare system, as investigators work to establish how the fatal error occurred.
