Newborn baby dies as outbreak of infection hits maternity hospital

• An investigation into the outbreak has been launched by the NHS

The child, who was born prematurely, died after contracting the Serratia marcescens infection in the neonatal unit at the Princess Royal Maternity (PRM) in Glasgow.

Another, "very premature" baby is being treated in isolation after testing positive for the illness. Eight others at the PRM and two at the Southern General Hospital are believed to have the infection and have been separated from other patients.

An investigation has been launched by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and an outbreak control team has been set up.

An NHS spokeswoman said: "Tragically, one premature baby has died and our deepest sympathies are with the family. The other baby, also very premature, is being treated in isolation and is improving.

"Eight other babies in the PRM neonatal unit have also been confirmed as being colonised with Serratia marcescens. Colonisation is where bacteria are present on or in the body, but are causing no harm."

The bacterium, which occurs naturally in the gut, is commonly found on the skin - but in cases where a patient is vulnerable to infection, such as a very premature baby, or a weak or elderly person, it can cause serious infection.

"The eight babies who are colonised are being nursed together as a cohort in one part of the neonatal unit totally separately from other patients," said Dr Craig Williams, lead infection control consultant and chair of the outbreak control team.

"We are investigating the cases at the PRM to establish if there is any link between the cases."

He added: "Serratia marcescens is naturally occurring in the gut. Therefore to have Serratia marcescens on or in the body (colonisation) is not uncommon or harmful in healthy people.

"Given the vulnerability of many premature babies, Serratia marcescens infections do occur."

In the Southern General Hospital, the infection was found in two babies who had been transferred from the PRM neonatal unit.

The children are being nursed in isolation at the hospital and are not giving "cause for concern" as a result of the colonisation.

The NHS spokeswoman added: "All the babies in both neonatal units have been screened - no further babies at the Southern General have been found to be colonised with Serratia marcescens and the unit is operating as normal.

"All appropriate infection control measures are in place at both units."

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie, whose constituency covers the Vale of Leven, where 18 people died in a C Difficile outbreak in 2008, said: "This is desperately sad news, and my thoughts are with the families.

"Many parents will understandably be very worried. It is not common for this infection to be carried in this way, and it is absolutely essential that everything possible is done to investigate and understand what has happened here."

Factfile

Where is Serratia marcescens found?

The bacteria commonly exist in the gastrointestinal tract of children and the respiratory and urinary tracts of hospitalised adults.

Is it present outside the body?

It often grows in bathrooms - especially on tile grout, shower corners and along the toilet water line.

Is it always dangerous?

Most of the time it is harmless. However, for people who have weak immune systems it can cause a serious infection.

Have scientists always known its dangers?

Until the 1960s, Serratia marcescens was considered to be entirely safe - in fact, the US military are believed to have dispersed it secretly across cities in germ warfare simulation studies.