Venezuela Investigates 11 Baby Deaths at Hospital

Venezuelan prosecutors announced Tuesday they would investigate the deaths of 11 prematurely born infants in four days at a public hospital in the northern state of Aragua.

Bacterial contamination is suspected in the deaths.

A statement from the Venezuelan attorney general said prosecutors planned "an inspection of the neonatology service of Central Hospital of Maracay, with the goal of reviewing elements of criminal interest in the investigation related to the deaths of 11 infants" between Thursday and Sunday.

Preliminary information from health officials indicated the 11 babies "were premature with birth weights between 700 grams and 1,000 grams," which increases their risk of contracting disease, the statement said.

Prosecutors also seek court permission to inspect medical records and laboratory reports on the infants.

The laboratory reports are expected "to verify or not the presence of three types of bacteria known as Enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Kebsiella" that could threaten the health of the newborns, the attorney general's office said.