SCDPH releases annual report about infant mortality rate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– An annual report about the infant mortality rate has been released by the SC Department of Public Health.

According to the report, South Carolina’s 2023 Infant Mortality increased 2.9% from the previous year.

403 infants died during the first year of life for a rate of 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, while 392 infants died in 2022.

While year-to-year changes are modest, this reversal signals slowing progress in reducing infant mortality in the state.

The 3 leading causes of infant death were disorders related to pre-term birth and low birth weight, congenital malformations or birth defects, and sudden infant death syndrome.