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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.)