Naples – Specialists at Monaldi Hospital will postpone until tomorrow the evaluation of the possibility of a second heart transplant for a child who has been hospitalized for nearly two months in critical condition after receiving an organ that immediately proved to be nonfunctional.
The decision was expected today, but the team has chosen to carry out further tests and investigations in the next few hours.
Bambino Gesù's advice: "Extremely high risk."
In the last few hours, a negative opinion has been received from the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, which was consulted for a consultation. According to the hospital, the child is not a candidate for a second transplant due to complications that arose after nearly two months of support with a breathing machine and extracorporeal circulation.
Factors identified as contributing factors include cerebral hemorrhage, uncontrolled infection, and renal, pulmonary, and liver failure, with a very high mortality risk in the event of repeat surgery, also due to the impact of immunosuppressive therapies against rejection. However, the clinical picture remains that of a patient without a functioning heart, with conditions that are destined to worsen over time.
"I'm not giving up": The mother and the wait at the hospital
"I won't give up, I won't lose hope," repeats his mother, Patrizia, who went to the hospital again today to see her son and receive updates from the doctors. The child's condition is described as stable despite its extreme severity, while the passing of the days risks further compromising the situation.
In the evening, a solidarity torchlight procession was held outside the Monaldi Hospital, promoted by the association of families of transplant children.
The investigation: six people under investigation for negligent injury
Meanwhile, the Naples Public Prosecutor's Office, coordinated by Deputy Prosecutor Antonio Ricci and Prosecutor Giuseppe Tittaferrante, is continuing its investigation. So far, six health workers—including doctors and paramedics from Monaldi—have been registered as suspects, suspected of negligent assault.
The investigation centers on what happened on December 23, when the Monaldi team traveled to Bolzano to remove the heart that was then implanted in the young patient that afternoon, which was immediately found to be nonfunctional. The family claims that the organ was "burned" during transport due to the use of dry ice instead of traditional ice, and that no one noticed the damage before the surgery.
The investigations, it is emphasized, are complex also because they involve multiple parties and different levels of expertise and responsibility: checks are also underway in Bolzano, where a multi-organ transplant was performed on December 23rd by teams from various parts of Italy, as well as on the work of the Monaldi staff.
The follow-up cardiologist was heard at the Prosecutor's Office
Today, magistrates interviewed the cardiologist responsible for post-transplant follow-up, who was identified as a potential key witness, as a person with knowledge of the facts. The doctor resigned on December 29, 2025, six days after the surgery.
The lawyers: "If not, we will ask for a third opinion."
Francesco Petruzzi, one of the family's two lawyers, announced that even if Monaldi's opinion is negative about the new transplant, "the mother's wish is to move forward and seek a third opinion." The lawyers also expect the hospital to submit "all the reports from the interdisciplinary team as soon as possible."
Schillaci: "Caution, trust in the judiciary and the NAS."
Health Minister Orazio Schillaci also spoke out on the matter: "We are close to the child and his family, and we still hope that a solution can be found for this young patient." Regarding the investigation, "we need to be cautious; we must await the results. We have faith in the judiciary and the NAS Carabinieri. The ministry inspectors will do their duty. Then we will draw our conclusions."
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
This is a very complicated situation for the child's family. I hope the doctors find a solution. Patients' health must always be the priority, but decisions must also be made with great care and responsibility.