South Carolina’s infant death rate fell by 26 fewer deaths in 2019 than in 2018.

It dropped from 7.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 6.9 per 1,000 in 2019.

Department of Health and Environmental Control data shows a 4.2 % decrease in the infant death rate from 2018.

Racial disparities remain a concern.

11.2 infant deaths reflects a 2.4 times higher rate among women of color than the rate of infants born to white women (4.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019).

Notable changes among leading causes of infant deaths from 2018 to 2019 included Infant deaths due to:

• Pre-term birth/low birthweight increased from 58 infant deaths in 2018 to 68 infant deaths in 2019 (17.2%).

• Birth defects decreased from 82 infant deaths in 2018 to 63 infant deaths in 2019 (-23.2%).

• The mothers’ pregnancy complications increased 43.5 percent from 23 in 2018 to 33 in 2019 (with 27 of the 33 seen in black infants and infants of other races).

• Accidents decreased from 38 in 2018 to 32 in 2019 (-15.8 %).

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) increased from 14% in 2018 to 19% in 2019.

The number of sleeprelated infant deaths, specifically those cited as accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, decreased by 13.3% from 2018 (34 deaths) to 2019 (27 deaths).

These are potentially preventable deaths.