Patna, Oct 30 (IANS): A nine-day-old baby died after being bitten by rats in the ICU of a government-run hospital in Bihars Darbhanga district, the family said on Tuesday.

However, the hospital authorities refuted it and the district administration assured the family of a probe into the matter.

The newborn was ill and admitted to the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital on Monday. He died early on Tuesday "after being bitten by rats due to the hospital's negligence".

"We were shocked to find that rats were trying to nibble at the hands and legs of my newborn during a visit to the NICU late on Monday.

"There was no nurse or doctor on duty. We immediately informed hospital officials but they informed us that the child was already dead," Phuran Chaupal, the father said.

The child was admitted to the hospital in critical condition and there was no sign of rat bites on his body, Head of Child Department K.N. Mishra said.

Chaupal, a resident of Najra village in Madhubani district, said he along with his wife Neelam Chaupal had brought the child for treatment.

The couple met District Magistrate in-charge Kari Prasad Mahto and demanded action against the hospital. Mahto said that an investigation will be conducted into the allegations.