Two-Year-Old Awaits New Heart Transplant After Initial Procedure Complicated by Damaged Organ

Naples, Italy – A two-year-old boy in Naples is awaiting a second heart transplant after receiving a damaged organ in a previous procedure last December. The case has garnered national attention in Italy, prompting responses from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other officials.

Urgent Search for Compatible Heart

The child, currently hospitalized at Monaldi Hospital, remains in critical but stable condition. His mother, Patrizia Mercolino, received a phone call from Prime Minister Meloni on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, expressing solidarity and assuring her that every effort is being made to discover a compatible heart for a new operation [1]. Mercolino reiterated her priority is to save her son, who has been fighting for his life for two months and is currently sustained by a breathing and extracorporeal circulation machine.

Investigation into Damaged Heart and Transport

The initial transplant was compromised due to the transplanted heart being seriously damaged. An investigation is underway, coordinated by the Neapolitan prosecutor’s office, focusing on potential negligence in the handling and transport of the organ. Six individuals are currently under investigation for negligent injury [4].

Investigators are examining the container used to transport the heart. Concerns have been raised that the use of an older, less technologically advanced container – similar to a cooler – instead of the hospital’s temperature-controlled boxes may have contributed to the organ’s deterioration. The hospital staff reportedly lacked adequate training to use the newer equipment [4].

Complications and Expert Consultation

The boy has experienced significant complications since the initial transplant, including a cerebral hemorrhage, multi-organ failure (affecting his lungs, kidneys, and liver), and an uncontrolled infection [3]. Experts from Bambin Gesù hospital in Rome, consulted for a second opinion, highlighted the severity of these issues.

To re-evaluate the child’s condition and determine if a new transplant is viable, Monaldi Hospital has assembled a team of specialists from Bambin Gesù (Rome), Padua, Bergamo, and Turin. They will assess whether the child’s condition allows for a new transplant and explore potential therapies to mitigate the existing complications [3].

Official Response and Continued Monitoring

The case has prompted a response from Italian authorities. Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci and Campania Region President Roberto Fico have both expressed strong commitment to ensuring clarity and collaboration in addressing the situation [1]. The child remains on the European pediatric transplant list, and his condition is under close medical monitoring.

The cardiologist who treated the child resigned from their position six days after the operation and has been questioned by the prosecutor as a person informed of the facts. Further interviews with individuals informed of the facts and suspects are planned [4].