Infant mortality rate on the increase

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's infant mortality rate is increasing.

The most recent state health department data shows Utah's 2006 infant mortality rate was 5 deaths per 1,000 live births. That's up from 4.5 per 1,000 in 2005.

Nationally, the rate is 6.8 deaths per 1,000 births.

State health officials say the reason for the increase is that there are more premature babies being born and they have a greater chance of dying. Increasing obesity rates among pregnant women put babies at risk.