ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Some bad news for Missouri when it comes to infant mortality rates.
The CDC is out with its latest numbers on infant mortality rates in the United States -- and for the first time in two decades the rate is increasing.
"When (the CDC) looked at the data by state, they found that only one state (Nevada) in the entire country had seen a decline in infant deaths," said Jacqueline Howard, CNN Health Correspondent.
The national rate of infant deaths increased by 3%, Missouri being one of four states to see a significant rise, with a 16% uptick in infant mortality rates.
Iowa, Texas and Georgia were the other three states to see a significant increase alongside Missouri.
Some of the leading causes of infant mortality include bacterial sepsis and maternal complications like pre-term delivery and pre-eclampsia.
"Deaths by bacterial sepsis, those rose up by 14%," said Howard. "Deaths cause by maternal complications, like pre-term delivery, those deaths rose up by 9%."
