Italy - Toddler dies after transplant of heart allegedly "burned by frostbite," Monaldi Hospital, February 2026

[ChatteringBirds]

I am posting this case because I would like to follow up on it and am interested in whether anyone will be found guilty of a crime in this tragic case. Prosecutors are investigating.

I do not understand how/why the donor heart was allegedly damaged during transport and especially why it was nevertheless used.

Was the heart transported in a manner not consistent with correct protocol? If so, why? And was the alleged damage detectible?

My heart goes out to Domenico's family.

Italian toddler dies after transplant with heart 'burned by frostbite'

The heart given to two-year-old Domenico was reportedly severely damaged during its transfer to hospital.

www.bbc.com

...The heart given to [2-year-old] Domenico during a transplant in late December was reportedly transported to the hospital in direct contact with dry ice, causing severe tissue damage....
six medics have been placed under formal investigation...
[The family's attorney] Petruzzi has said the organ arrived "burned by frostbite" after being transported over 800km (490 miles) from Bolzano to Naples in an unsuitable container alongside the ice, without a thermometer...

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I am posting this case because I would like to follow up on it and am interested in whether anyone will be found guilty of a crime in this tragic case. Prosecutors are investigating.

I do not understand how/why the donor heart was allegedly damaged during transport and especially why it was nevertheless used.

Was the heart transported in a manner not consistent with correct protocol? If so, why? And was the alleged damage detectible?

My heart goes out to Domenico's family.

Italian toddler dies after transplant with heart 'burned by frostbite'

The heart given to two-year-old Domenico was reportedly severely damaged during its transfer to hospital.

www.bbc.com

...The heart given to [2-year-old] Domenico during a transplant in late December was reportedly transported to the hospital in direct contact with dry ice, causing severe tissue damage....
six medics have been placed under formal investigation...
[The family's attorney] Petruzzi has said the organ arrived "burned by frostbite" after being transported over 800km (490 miles) from Bolzano to Naples in an unsuitable container alongside the ice, without a thermometer...

And the case will have no positive ending....
A heart transplant on a two year old... had to have major concerns from the get go....
But still...

What appears to be a lack of protocol is just awful....
Those six medics will be drilled, and I am guessing there will not be identical testimony...

 

[ChatteringBirds]

And the case will have no positive ending....
A heart transplant on a two year old... had to have major concerns from the get go....
But still...

What appears to be a lack of protocol is just awful....
Those six medics will be drilled, and I am guessing there will not be identical testimony...

Yes, it is so tragic. But at least maybe his parents will have more answers regarding what happened.

The article does say that there are other factors-- prolonged use of life support may have affected his other organs.

It makes it sound like the "frostbite" damage to the donor heart would have been detectable, so I wonder if the transplant team notified his parents and it was decided to use it anyway, because they didn't have a better option? Or how that played out?

I'll try to find more articles when I have time.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Yes, it is so tragic. But at least maybe his parents will have more answers regarding what happened.

The article does say that there are other factors-- prolonged use of life support may have affected his other organs.

It makes it sound like the "frostbite" damage to the donor heart would have been detectable, so I wonder if the transplant team notified his parents and it was decided to use it anyway, because they didn't have a better option? Or how that played out?

I'll try to find more articles when I have time.

I am wondering (hoping) the same... hopefully the parents were part of that final decision.....
but I don't think we would be hearing about it if that were the case.