Two new-born babies died as superbug sweeps through baby unit

 Two new-born babies have died and a third is seriously ill after a rare superbug swept through a baby unit at a new £400m ‘super hospital’.

Post-mortem examinations on the infants found they died from the Serratia Marcescens bacteria, which is not harmful to healthy people but poses a danger to premature babies.

The discovery led to the neonatal intensive care at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) unit closing its doors to new cases to stop the disease spreading.

Both victims were being cared for at the unit after being born prematurely before 28 weeks. The third infant is still in isolation after the bug hit the hospital department.

The outbreak also spread to four more premature babies who have now recovered and been allowed home.

The outbreak started in July, but details were only revealed for the first time at a hospital meeting yesterday.

Although the unit continued to admit babies born in the centre, it was closed to admissions from other hospitals which make up the regional network of baby units. The restrictions stayed in place for two weeks.

Tests confirmed the link between the disease, which is found in the bowel of children, and the hospital and prompted management to call in experts from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to review infection control practices.

As a result the whole special care baby unit in the top floor of the maternity centre was deep-cleaned.

The surviving infants – including the baby still in intensive care – were found to be carriers of the bug and did not suffer the illness itself.

But they were placed in isolation incubators while their treatment continued for conditions linked to be being born prematurely.

Julie Bridgewater, UHNS Chief Executive, said: "We identified the infection in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It can affect babies born extremely prematurely.

"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."

UHNS infection experts said parents of babies already discharged had no need to worry.

Consultant Microbiologist Dr Jeorge Orendi said: "As a precaution we temporarily closed NICU to new admissions.

"The five other babies who were carrying the organism, but not unwell, were isolated.

"One of those continues to be treated on the unit for other conditions and will remain here until well enough to go home.

"In addition we carried out a deep clean of neonatal intensive care and reviewed infection prevention practice immediately with assistance  The Telegraph