The parents of a 12-day-old baby who died in an incubator at a hospital in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, have reached an agreement with the clinic over compensation, the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.

The report quoted information from a joint investigation group that was formed to probe the death, which sparked public fury after the baby's family released pictures of their daughter's body. However, no details of the agreement were revealed.

Born on July 6 at Quanzhou Children's Hospital, the baby was transferred to the ICU due to neonatal brain and heart problems.

She died on Wednesday, allegedly after being burnt to death in the incubator, which was turned up too high. The graphic photos released by the family showed patches of the baby's skin were blackened or red.

However, the hospital said the infant died of a bacterial infection.

The family had agreed to allow an autopsy on Friday, but they later changed their mind.

As for the family's suspicion that the baby died from being exposed to high temperatures, the local measurement and testing institute examined the incubator, and said it met with standards, according to China National Radio (CNR).

The initial investigation showed that the baby died of an infection, and it could be excluded that the infant was burnt to death in the incubator, China Central Television reported.

"Theoretically, an incubator will not burn a baby, since it will adjust the temperature automatically to be suitable for the baby inside," said Hong Jianguo, the chief of pediatrics at Shanghai First People's Hospital. 

Even if the temperature exceeds the set one due to a mechanical problem, the incubator sends auto-alarms to warn doctors and nurses, he said.

"The possibility of a baby being burnt to death is low. Otherwise, the whole body would be red and swollen, rather than partly cracked in the skin," Hong noted. 

Some doctors said the baby may have died of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), a dermatological condition that makes patients' wounds look like burns and scalds and causes death. The disease mainly plagues newborns and children under the age of 6, according to CNR.

"The wounds of SSSS do look like burns," said Hong.

Gu Xiaoming, a sociology professor with Fudan University, said that it's understandable that the parents chose not to have an autopsy performed. "It's a Chinese custom to keep the remains complete to show respect for the deceased." But it shows there needs to be more communication between patients, relatives and their doctors, he said.

The hospital pledged to conduct an overall investigation into the baby's diagnosis and treatment process, and strengthen training of medical staff.