Six premature babies have died and one is in a critical condition at Pelonomi hospital in Bloemfontein due to possible contaminated parenteral nutrition, the hospital said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Elke de Witt said the babies died between March 4 and 5 at the hospital’s neonatal paediatric unit.
The provincial health department conducted an urgent investigation but ”the cause of the infant deaths is not known yet”.
However, a preliminary investigation found Enterococci cloacae bacteria in three containers and one infusion set.
”It is suspected that the deaths are related to contaminated total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This is intravenous nutrition provided to premature infants which consist of vitamins, fats and 50% dextrose. The liquids are mixed at the pharmacy according to the weight of the infant. This is then given intravenously to the infant,” she said.
De Witt said the parents of the deceased infants had been informed and counselling was provided.
The TPN preparation unit in the pharmacy was sealed and an outside firm was contracted to investigate the area for contamination. The preparation unit at Universitas Hospital would be utilised while the investigation was carried out.
De Witt said the TPN solution from the same batch would not be used until investigation was completed. The containers used with three babies and the transfusion set of another were recovered and specimens were sent for microbiology, biochemistry and toxicology tests. Test results were expected later this week.
”The Department views this incident in a very serious light and wants to assure the public that it will act swiftly and surely to re-establish a safe and secure service to families with premature infants,” Health MEC Ouma Tsopo said in a statement.
”It also deeply regrets the incident and will leave no stone unturned to determine the cause of the incident.
”Should any staff members be found liable, disciplinary action will be taken immediately,” Tsopo said. – Sapa