The infant mortality rate steadily declined. (Janet McKnight, Creative Commons)

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that "In 2011, there were 6.05 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 6.87 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2005." The infant mortality rate had declined throughout the 1900s, but plateaued between 2000 and 2005 before this recent steady drop.

Between 2005 and 2011, the death rates of infants with congenital malformations, premature birth, sudden infant death syndrome, maternal complications and unintentional injuries - five causes of death that had accounted for 56 of all infant deaths in 2011 - had declined significantly.

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of infants here.

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