Ben Richmond has been isolated to prevent the bug spreading

Ben Richmond was born 15 weeks early in October but two weeks ago he suffered respiratory problems and stopped breathing at Salford's Hope Hospital.

The NHS trust said Ben was a carrier of MRSA, and not infected, and his health problems were unrelated.

It said he was in a stable condition and it is not yet known whether he caught the bug at the hospital.

The baby's parents, Ken and Rachel, from Irlam, Greater Manchester, have tried for a baby for 10 years and described Ben as a "miracle baby" when he was born, weighing just 1lb 10ozs.

It is quite uncommon for a tiny baby to carry or become infected by MRSA Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

He was born after a second round of IVF treatment.

He is thought to be one of the youngest people to carry MRSA in the UK, although no-one else on the ward is believed to be carrying the bug.

A Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said it was uncommon for a baby to carry or become infected by MRSA.

"Merely carrying MRSA does not in itself lead to health problems but if a person who is carrying MRSA goes on to develop an infection that is when problems can arise," said the spokesperson.

"There is no evidence that this baby has ever been infected or that any of his health problems are attributable to MRSA. The respiratory difficulties the baby has can be expected with such prematurity.

"No other evidence of MRSA has been found on the neonatal intensive care unit, which our infection control team continues to monitor closely."

The spokesperson added that the importance of "strict hand hygiene policy" was always stressed to staff and parents.