Premature Baby Dies After Contracting Infection In Glasgow
A baby has died after contracting an infection which has also affected other infants at a hospital's neonatal unit.
The premature baby, who had "existing complex medical problems'', died at the unit linked to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow at the weekend following Serratia marcescens infection.
A further five babies currently in the unit have the bacteria present but medics said they are not giving any cause for concern.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's public health protection unit and infection control team are investigating the increased incidence.
The health board said a "small increase'' in Serratia marcescens colonisation cases was identified in July as part of routine surveillance and the situation has been "monitored closely'' since.
A further seven babies, who are no longer in the hospital, were confirmed as having Serratia marcescens colonisation during this time.
Colonisation is where bacteria are present on or in the body but are not causing harm. Health chiefs stressed not all the cases involve the same strain of the organism and investigations to establish any links are continuing.
Alan Mathers, chief of medicine for women and children's services, said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the baby who has so sadly passed away.
"None of the five babies in the unit who are colonised are giving cause for concern as a result of the colonisation.
"Serratia marcescens can be naturally occurring in the gut and its presence on or in the body (colonisation) is not harmful in healthy people.
"However, given the vulnerability of premature babies, Serratia marcescens infections, where the colonised bacteria gets into the bloodstream, can occur.''
He added: "Given that there are no other cases of infection and that all the appropriate infection control procedures are in place, the unit will continue to admit new patients as normal.
"Our staff are in communication with the families to keep them fully informed.''