Luke died two days after his birth in Ipswich Hospital

An inquest heard Ipswich Hospital staff missed signs showing Luke Day was ill before he died in February 2005.

The baby, whose parents lived at Woodbridge, Suffolk, is thought to be the youngest victim of the bug.

Suffolk coroner Peter Dean, giving a narrative verdict, said though 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.

Warning signs

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.

"It makes me sick," said Luke's father. Luke's mother added: "I think it is disgusting."

Dr Dean said at the inquest that there was evidence Luke showed signs of illness 20 hours after being born.

Luke Day's parents said they were "disgusted"

He said a hospital inquiry concluded that Luke's symptoms should have caused staff to review his condition.

The inquiry also concluded there was "no over-arching co-ordination" of Luke's care, the inquest heard.

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.

Two reviews

"Had warning signs been followed, we cannot say for certain that the outcome would have been different," Dr Dean said.

"But at least the chances would have been better."

Senior hospital staff said lessons had been learned.

Clare Barlow, the hospital's director of operations at the time of Luke's death, said the hospital had carried out two reviews in an attempt to improve procedures.

The inquest heard that MRSA was found in Luke's lungs, heart and spleen.