International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Coding
ICD Coding: BACKGROUND
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the international standard for diagnostic classification. It is developed and regularly updated by the World Health Organization and is currently in its 10th version. The ICD provides a comprehensive coding system for diseases and health conditions to be used on death certificates, hospital and other vital records.
ICD-10 defines a maternal death as:
the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes *
ICD-10 differs from earlier versions in that it also provides a definition for late maternal death:
the death of a woman from direct or indirect obstetric causes more than 42 days but less than one year after termination of pregnancy*
While the definition of maternal deaths is further broken down into direct and indirect deaths, misclassification and under-reporting of maternal mortality can still be a problem as the precise cause of death (even if identified as pregnancy-related) can be missed.
*International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th Revision. 2nd edition, Volume 2 Instruction Manual. Geneva: World Health Organization
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