A two-year-old boy at the centre of a medical controversy over a damaged donor heart has died in Naples. It has prompted a criminal investigation and renewed scrutiny of Italy’s transplant procedures.
Domenico, who had been on life support for almost two months, died shortly before 09:30 on Saturday, his family’s lawyer Francesco Petruzzi confirmed. The hospital where he was being treated, Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli – Ospedale Monaldi, said the child had suffered a “sudden and irreversible worsening of his clinical condition”.
The toddler had undergone a heart transplant in late December after receiving a donor organ transported more than 800 kilometres from Bolzano to Naples. According to the family’s legal team, the heart was carried in direct contact with dry ice in an unsuitable container. Furthermore, there was no thermometer to monitor temperature levels.
Petruzzi said the organ arrived “burned by frostbite” after the journey south. He alleged that the extreme cold caused severe tissue damage before the transplant. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the handling of the organ, and six medics are now under formal investigation.
The case has sparked widespread outrage in Italy, raising questions about transport protocols and oversight in the national transplant system.
Domenico’s mother, Patrizia Mercolino, had publicly appealed to the Pope in recent weeks in the hope of securing further help for her son. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, she said simply: “It’s over. Domenico is gone.”
Foundation in son’s name
The family has announced plans to establish a foundation in the child’s name. Petruzzi said it would support “all children who cannot have a transplant and help all victims of malpractice and medical negligence”.
Earlier this week, a panel of paediatric specialists concluded that Domenico’s condition was “not compatible” with a second transplant. Doctors had warned that prolonged use of life support risked compromising his lungs, liver and kidneys.
“If the time for hope has ended, then the time for responsibility has begun,” Petruzzi said after the medical panel’s assessment. He added that the family had requested access to all relevant medical records.
Investigation into damaged donor heart
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the “whole of Italy mourns the loss of little Domenico, a warrior who will never be forgotten”. Writing on X, she offered condolences to his parents, Patrizia and Antonio. She added that she was confident that “the competent authorities will shed full light on this terrible incident”.
Health Minister Orazio Schillaci had earlier called for clarity over what had happened. “We must absolutely clarify what happened,” he said. “We owe it to the child, to the family, but also to all Italians.”
Schillaci stressed that Italy’s national health service remains highly regarded and has handled complex cases successfully in the past. “I believe citizens should not lose faith,” he said.
The investigation will now focus on whether established procedures for organ preservation and transport were breached, and whether any errors contributed to the damage to the donor heart. Prosecutors will review medical documentation, transport records and expert assessments as they seek to determine responsibility.
