A NEWBORN baby has died after contracting a rare killer bug at a neonatal unit in Glasgow.
The premature baby - who had existing complex medical problems - died in the Neonatal Unit linked to the Royal Hospital for Children at the weekend.
Health board chiefs said a probe has been launched after the increase in cases of bacterial infection, Serratia marcescens.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Public Health Protection Unit and Infection Control Team are investigating.
Five other babies, who are currently in the same unit, have the Serratia marcescens bacteria present in their bodies, but doctors stressed they are not giving any cause for concern.
Another seven babies, who are no longer in the hospital, were confirmed as having Serratia marcescens colonisation,
Medical staff confirmed not all the cases involve the same strain of the organism.
Investigations are continuing to establish if there are any links.
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."
Health board bosses said a "small increase" in Serratia marcescens colonisation cases was identified in July and staff have been closely monitoring all colonisation cases since then.
They said appropriate infection control procedures are in place and the situation continues to be monitored closely.
Serratia marcescens is an organism that occurs naturally in the gut.
Mr Mathers added: "Since the increase in incidence of Serratia marcescens colonisation cases was indentified as part of our routine surveillance we have been closely monitoring the situation in line with national guidance.
"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."
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