Italian toddler 'critical' after undergoing transplant with heart 'burned by frostbite'

Several people are under investigation after the organ was reportedly damaged during transport between hospitals.

Meloni calls mother of boy who had transplant with damaged heart

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 17 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday called the mother of a two-year-old boy who is in a critical condition after a damaged heart was used in transplant surgery at Naples's Monaldi Hospital in December, the family's lawyer said. "You'll have justice," Meloni told the mother, Patrizia Mercolino, according to the lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi, adding that everything possible was being done to find a new compatible donor heart. It is suspected that the heart was damaged because dry ice was used to conserve its condition instead of ordinary ice during its journey from a hospital in Bolzano to the Monaldi Hospital. The boy, whose name is Tommaso, has been put on life-support until a new donor organ becomes available, although there are doubts about whether it is still possible for him to undergo a transplant. During Tuesday's call, Mercolino thanked the premier, while stressing that her priority is to have "a new heart for my son and see him at home, recovered". The Monaldi Hospital has asked specialists from all over Italy to take part in a meeting on Wednesday to decide whether it is possible for Tommaso to have another transplant operation. Six health professionals have been put under investigation over the case. (ANSA). Read article...

By ANSA