Two babies die in rare bacteria outbreak
Two babies have died after the outbreak of a rare bacteria in a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in the West Midlands.
The infants, who were both premature having been born at 28 weeks, died after contracting the rare Serratia marcescens bacteria (see box, below) at University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust.
The outbreak was discovered in July. Five other children were isolated after it was found they were carrying the infection, though a hospital spokesman said the children were not unwell. One of the five children remains in isolation, the hospital said, whilst getting treatment for other conditions.
Serratia mascarens is a particular risk for those in hospital. The bacteria, which causes urinary tract, wound and bloodstream infections, is common in those who have received intravenous treatments.
Julia Bridgewater, chief executive of the NHS Trust, said: “The trust identified an infection in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in July, Serratia marcescens, that can affect babies born extremely premature.
“Sadly two babies who died, both born before 28 weeks, had this uncommon infection, and post-mortems confirmed Serratia marcescens as the cause of death. The families of the two babies were informed at the time of this infection.
“The trust would like to offer its sincere condolences to those families who have lost a baby.”
Jeorge Orendi, consultant microbiologist at the Trust, said that parents of babies which had already been discharged from the hospital “have no need to worry”.
He added that the hospital had taken a number of precautions to contain the outbreak including weekly screening for the bacteria, a deep-clean of the unit and a review of infection identification practices. He said no new cases have been uncovered since those discovered in July.