In WHO recommended Death Certificate, Main Underlying Cause of Death is recorded on
WHO RECOMMENDED DEATH CERTIFICATE (for International use):
Consist of 4 lines:
– Line Ia: Disease or condition directly leading to death
– Line Ib: Antecedent/ underlying cause
– Line Ic: MAIN ANTECEDENT/ UNDERLYING CAUSE
– Line II: Other significant conditions contributing to death BUT not related to disease/ condition causing it
Concept of underlying cause, Line Ic is the MOST IMPORTANT line in death certificate, thus also known as ‘Essence of Death Certificate’
Line Ia
Line Ib
Line Ic
Line II