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Baby born with heart problems is given a pacemaker - and MRSA

Updated: 03:08 EST, 14 May 2008


A baby who was Britain's youngest patient to have a heart pacemaker fitted was fighting for his life today - after catching the MRSA super-bug in hospital.

Little Liam King was hailed an NHS medical miracle when he had the tiny electrical device implanted in his chest when he was just five days old.

The tot was allowed home - but four weeks later his operation scar became red and inflamed.

Liam was diagnosed with MRSA and was today in an isolation ward at Bristol Children's Hospital where he had the pacemaker fitted.

His anxious parents Andy and Ann were at his bedside hoping that antibiotics from a drip will help him pull through. Liam King, pictured with his father Andy, has been diagnosed with MRSA

Andy, 26, said: "When Liam had the pacemaker fitted the last thing that was on our minds was MRSA.

"But his scar didn't heal properly and we knew something wasn't right.

"You read so much about this bug in hospitals but it was a shock when we were told Liam had MRSA

"He is very vulnerable - he's just a couple of months off but he's been through so much."

The Kings, of Ebbw Vale, Gwent, say they have been very impressed by the hygiene standards at Bristol Children's Hospital where Liam had the pacemaker fitted in March.

They believe he may have picked up the MRSA bug during one of the many follow-up appointments at other hospitals.

Andy said: "We noticed his scar had become red and inflamed so we mentioned it to our GP.

"They took a swab but said it was alright for us to take Liam on holiday.

"We had booked a little break because of all the problems we'd had since he was born."

But just two days into the holiday they had a call saying: "Your baby's got MRSA - come home immediately."

Soon after they arrived home little Liam began vomiting and was hit by severe diarrhoea.

He was taken to the Bristol hospital where he is currently being treated.

Nightclub DJ Andy and Ann, 21, have been told their baby will be kept in for up to six weeks as he battles to beat the MRSA bug.

Andy has spoken to his MP Dai Davies to complain about the standards of cleanliness at the local hospital.

He said: "I am too worried about Liam at the moment to start casting blame.

"But doctors have told us that Liam must have picked up the bug in the last couple of weeks.

"That means it must have been at a local hospital during one of Liam's check ups.

"I don't want to name the hospital because I'm making an official complaint."

Gwent Health Trust yesterday declined to comment.

Liam needed the pacemaker fitted after being diagnosed with a congenital heart block while still in the womb.

The condition disrupts the electrical signal which controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat and can be fatal if it is not corrected.

The pacemaker sends an electrical signal to the heart muscle to regulate the heartbeat.


