A baby died 36 hours after his birth as a result of contracting the super bug MRSA, a coroner has concluded.
An inquest heard Ipswich Hospital staff missed signs showing Luke Day was ill before he died in February 2005.
Suffolk coroner Peter Dean giving a narrative verdict said although experts could not agree it was probable Luke died as a result of contracting MRSA . Experts had said he died of an infection and the pathologist found traces of MRSA in his organs - but other specialists said they could not be sure MRSA caused the fatal infection. Hospital staff were unable to find a source of the bug despite extensive inquiries.
After the hearing Luke's parents Kevin, 26, and Glynis, 19, criticised the hospital's failure to spot warning signs.
Coroner Peter Dean said at the inquest there was evidence Luke showed signs of illness 20 hours after being born. He said a hospital inquiry concluded that Luke's symptoms should have caused staff to review his condition. Dr Dean said Luke was born shortly before 0700 GMT on 2 February but by 0200 GMT the following day he was "grunting" and tests showed that his blood sugar and temperature were low. "Had warning signs been followed, we cannot say for certain that the outcome would have been different...... but at least the chances would have been better."
The inquest heard that MRSA was found in Luke's lungs, heart and spleen.
March 12 2007
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