A THIRD baby has died from a rare blood infection at a Glasgow hospital.

The premature tot, who has not been identified, passed away at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital after two other babies lost their lives earlier this year.

It is not yet known when the third infant died, however, Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection has been confirmed as one of the contributing factors.

In a statement, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Three babies, who were extremely poorly due to their very early birth, sadly died and infection was one of a number of contributing causes in their deaths.

Read more: Two babies die in Glasgow's Princess Royal Maternity Hospital after infection

“A programme of staff and family screening was carried out, as has been previously reported.

“As this was an extremely rare strain which is highly resistant to the two antibiotics normally prescribed for S. Aureus and the skin cleaning agent routinely used in hospitals across the UK, we put in place a number of further infection control measures including the prescribing of different antibiotics and the introduction of a new skin cleaning agent.”

Other babies have been treated for the infection.

Read more: Glasgow's Princess Royal Maternity hospital treats fourth baby for rare infection

It's not yet known what's causing the issue, however, it's one of the most common causes of hospital-acquired infections.

The type which the infants have been diagnosed with has only been recorded in two other countries in the world.

It is highly resistant to the two antibiotics that are normally prescribed as well as the skin cleaning agent routinely used in hospitals across the UK.