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Last Updated: Monday, 1 August 2005, 18:56 GMT 19:56 UK
Baby may not have died from MRSA
Glynis and Luke Day
Luke's mother Glynis Day said she wants action to be taken
A baby thought to have been the youngest victim of MRSA in hospital may not have died from the superbug, a report has found.

Luke Day died in Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk, in February just 36 hours after being born.

However, experts now say the death may have resulted from damage to his brain or from sudden infant death syndrome.

A major review into the death was ordered by the hospital and its findings were published on Monday.

The report said the death certificate for Luke, whose parents live in Woodbridge, Suffolk, identifies Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) septicaemia, as the cause of death.

But the independent expert panel said they were not convinced that was the cause.

While MRSA was present, the panel could not say with any certainty that it was the cause of Luke's death
Independent report

The report said: "While MRSA was present, the panel could not say with any certainty that it was the cause of Luke's death.

"There were several possible causes of his death, for example, damage to Luke's lungs or brain. Another possibility is sudden infant death syndrome. However the sad truth is we will never know for sure."

Trust medical director Ian Scott said: "What the review clearly shows is that there were deficiencies in some aspects of the care we gave to both Luke and his mother.

"There is evidence that some clinical signs were missed, or misinterpreted, that the recording of basic observations (such as low temperature) was below the standards we expect, and that as a result of these, more senior staff were not appropriately involved in Luke's care.

"This morning, our chairman, Christine Smart and Gwen Collins, director of nursing, met with Baby Luke's family to share the findings of this report and to express the trust's sorrow at the tragic outcome."


SEE ALSO:
MRSA baby death inquiry widened
14 Apr 05 |  Suffolk
Superbug kills two-day-old baby
22 Mar 05 |  Suffolk
'My baby son got MRSA'
22 Mar 04 |  Health
19-day-old baby contracts MRSA
28 Feb 05 |  Staffordshire
NHS superbug death rate doubles
24 Feb 05 |  Health


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