October 14, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's infant mortality rate
dropped slightly in 2006, even though thousands more babies were
born in the state.

The rate of 8.4 deaths per 1,000 live births was down from 9.5
in 2005.

The 2006 rate, based on the most recent numbers available, was
released Tuesday and is based on the number of infants who die
before their first birthday.

The rate dropped despite more than 5,000 more babies born in the
state than the year before. There were more than 62,000 babies born
in South Carolina in 2006, compared to 57,000 in 2005.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control says
congenital birth defects and premature births were leading causes
of infant death.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)