Certain infectious and parasitic diseases

Definitions
Note: These definitions have been adopted by the World Health Assembly (resolutions
WHA20.19 and WHA43.24) under Article 23 of the Constitution of the World Health
Organization.
1. Causes of death
The causes of death to be entered on the medical certificate of cause of death are all those
diseases, morbid conditions or injuries which either resulted in or contributed to death and
the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced any such injuries.
2. Underlying cause of death
The underlying cause of death is (a) the disease or injury which initiated the train of events
leading directly to death, or (b) the circumstances of the accident or violence which
produced the fatal injury.
3. Definitions in relation to fetal, perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality
3.1 Live birth
Live birth is the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of
conception, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, which, after such separation,
breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the
umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical
cord has been cut or the placenta is attached; each product of such a birth is considered
liveborn.
3.2 Fetal death [deadborn fetus]
Fetal death is death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a
product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy; the death is indicated by
the fact that after such separation the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of
life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of
voluntary muscles.
3.3 Birth weight
The first weight of the fetus or newborn obtained after birth.
3.4 Low birth weight
Less than 2500 g (up to, and including 2499 g).
3.5 Very low birth weight
Less than 1500 g (up to, and including 1499 g).
3.6 Extremely low birth weight
Less than 1000 g (up to, and including 999 g).
878 WHO’s ICD-10