Third baby gets 'tainted' blood

A PREMATURE baby is in a life-threatening condition after receiving a tainted infusion at the Mainz University Clinic in western Germany that is linked to the death of two other infants, prosecutors said.

Mainz Prosecutor Klaus-Peter Mieth said investigators were waiting for post-mortem examination results before they could be certain if the babies in an intensive care ward were killed by the bacteria in the infusion.

Ten infants and a toddler who were in intensive care at the clinic were given an intravenous infusion on Friday. Doctors became concerned after the condition of several worsened on Saturday, and two died.

Authorities found traces of bacteria in one of the dead infants and apremature baby that is critcally ill, Mr Mieth said.