Infant mortality is strongly associated with low birthweight. Very low birthweight and premature babies often die soon after birth: 57% of infant deaths occur in the first week of life, and 70% occur within the first 28 days after birth. The statewide infant mortality rate for S.C. has risen for reporting periods since 2002 as multiple births and births to older women have risen. Disaggregated data by peer county can be found in Table 16.