Three years ago six premature babies died at the St. Justine Hospital, Montreal, Canada. A report indicates that poor pluming, which contributed towards the bacterial infection, was to blame. About fifty babies became infected with pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium which usually affects the respiratory system. Premature babies, whose immune and respiratory systems are undeveloped, are particularly vulnerable to this infection.

The first baby died in 2004. Hospital authorities had the ward disinfected. However, five more premature babies died over the following year-and-a-half. At the end of 2005 the ward was closed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be festering in the sinks (in the ward). The report, published today in Canadian newspapers, says the sinks did not drain properly.

Hospital authorities say the plumbing system has been replaced and the danger has now been eliminated. A new neo-natal ward will be opened in 2008.

CHU Sainte-Justine - Mother and Child University Hospital Center