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Italy: 2-Year-Old Boy Dies After Receiving Damaged Heart in Transplant

Published February 21, 2026, 14:07
Italy: 2-Year-Old Boy Dies After Receiving Damaged Heart in Transplant

A two-year-old boy in Italy has died after receiving a heart transplant, which is alleged to have been severely damaged during transport. Little Domenico passed away on Saturday, as announced by the family's lawyer. According to reports, the heart was transported in direct contact with dry ice, causing extensive tissue damage. The medical error was revealed through journalistic reports, leading the hospital to admit its responsibility. The family is requesting access to all relevant medical records, and prosecutors have launched an investigation, with six doctors being investigated for potential liabilities. The case has caused strong reactions in Italy, and the Minister of Health stressed the need to clarify the facts.