Serratia marcescens bacteria: Premature baby dies in Glasgow hospital after contracting infection

The hospital identified a small increase in Serratia marcescens colonisations in July and has been monitoring them ever since

The baby had existing complex medical problems and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there have been no other cases of Serratia mercescens infections (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

A premature baby has died at Scotland's newest super-hospital after being infected by a deadly bacteria.

The baby died in the maternity unit linked to Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children after contracting the Serratia marcescens infection. The baby had existing complex medical problems and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there have been no other cases of the infection.

The health board’s Public Health Protection Unit and Infection Control Team are currently investigating increased evidence of the Serratia marcescens bacteria in the neonatal unit, where a further five babies are “colonised” with the bacteria.

Colonisation is where the bacteria are present on or in the body but are not causing any harm, and it has been stressed the condition of the five babies is not giving any cause for concern.

A spokesperson for the health board said the hospital had identified a small increase in Serratia marcescens colonisation cases in July and has been closely monitoring all cases since.

A further seven babies have been confirmed as having Serratia marcescens colonisation during this time, all of which are no longer in the hospital.

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.

“Since the increase in incidence of Serratia marcescens colonisation cases was identified as part of our routine surveillance we have been closely monitoring the situation in line with national guidance.

As there are no other cases of infection and all the appropriate infection control procedures are in place the unit will continue to admit new patients as normal, he added.