Hospital staff missed sickness warning signs in a baby suspected of being the youngest victim of the deadly MRSA superbug, an inquest heard today.

Luke Day died aged 36 hours at Ipswich Hospital in February 2005. Traces of MRSA were found in the baby's organs but experts disagreed about whether MRSA was the cause of death, the inquest in Ipswich was told.

Coroner Peter Dean said there was evidence that Luke was showing signs of illness 20 hours after being born.

Members of Luke's family, who come from Woodbridge, Suffolk, were at the inquest to hear details of the care the baby received and of medical evidence found by experts.

Luke was born shortly before 7am on February 2, 2005. Shortly after 2am the following day, the baby was "grunting" and tests show that his blood sugar level and his temperature were low.

Dr Dean said a hospital inquiry had concluded that Luke's symptoms should have caused staff to review his condition. The inquiry also concluded there was "no overarching coordination" of Luke's care.

"Had warning signs been followed, we cannot say for certain that the outcome would have been different," said Dr Dean. "But at least the chances would have been better."

The inquest was told that a pathologist had found MRSA in Luke's lungs, heart and spleen. Experts agreed that the baby had died as a result of infection, but could not be sure whether the infection was caused by MRSA, the inquest heard.

The hearing continues.