Cause of Death List - WhatDoTheyKnow

Official Sensitive

General Register Office

Cause of Death List A-Z

November 2017

Official Sensitive

Contents

Page

Introduction

3

Notes

4

Definition of Terms Used

6

Causes of Death A-Z

A

7

B

9

C

11

D

14

E

15

F

16

G

17

H

18

I, J

19

K, L

20

M

21

N,O

22

P

23

Q,R

24

S

25

T,U

27

V,W,X,Y,Z

28

Refer to ‘Definition of terms’ on page 6 for explanation of ‘terms’ used

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Introduction This document is an A-Z list of ‘Causes of Death’ to help decide whether a death needs to be referred to the Coroner.

This information may be amended or added to without notice, so care should be taken in ensuring that the information used is correct and up to date.

Registrars should use this guide in the first instance if they have a query about the acceptability of a Cause of Death.

However, if there is a query not covered in this guide or if there are additional concerns, please call GRO on telephone no. 0300 123 1837 (select option 2)


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Notes

Key considerations This list is not exhaustive and needs to be used in conjunction with the Handbook, particularly D2 and D4.

Each certificate should be looked at on its own merits and consideration should be given to all conditions recorded on the certificate and the order in which they are recorded.

About the MCCD

The certifying doctor will complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) which the informant will normally bring to the registration. It is the registrar’s legal responsibility to report certain deaths to the coroner. Information about which deaths need referring to the coroner are at D2 and D4 of the Handbook.

The cause of death must be copied precisely from the MCCD - the registrar cannot amend the cause of death. If the death needs to be referred to the coroner, the registrar should refer without discussing the cause with the doctor.

If the informant is unhappy with the cause of death they should be referred back to the certifying doctor and the registration delayed.

Information in the MCCD

NOTE: This section is intended to provide a broad understanding of the type of information shown in a MCCD. It is not intended to provide definitive definitions or guidance.

The MCCD is divided into two parts, the functions of which are described in more detail below.

When considering the information in parts I and II, registrars should be alert to whether modes of death have been recorded and whether a given cause of death appears to be unnatural. More information is given below.

Part I

This is the cause or condition directly leading to the death and is split into 3 parts a, b and c. There must be an acceptable cause of death in part I (either in a, b or c). However, an acceptable condition may NOT remain acceptable if another cause of death in a, b, or c requires referral to the coroner.


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Part II Causes in Part II are other significant conditions contributing to the death, but not related to the disease or the condition causing it.

If you do not have an acceptable cause of death in part I, having an acceptable cause in part II does NOT mean a registration can be concluded.

Even if there are acceptable causes of death in Part I, Part II can still lead to referral to the coroner, if it suggests the death might have been unnatural (please see below).

Remember: ‘Part II cannot make Part I better but it can make it worse’

Modes of dying

A ‘mode’ of dying is one which does not explain ‘why’. For example ‘heart failure’ does not explain why the heart failed.

There is a list of modes of dying in Appendix 11A of the Handbook

Terms such as Acute, Chronic, Acute on chronic or Multiple do not turn modes of dying into acceptable causes

‘Unnatural’ causes of death

If there appears to be an unnatural cause of death in either part I or II, the death should be referred to the coroner.

An unnatural death might be one where it appears that another person’s actions, whether intentional, neglectful or accidental, have led to the death.

Referral to the coroner

Deaths should be referred to the coroner in the usual way for your office

If in doubt always play safe and speak to GRO Engagement Hub (0300 123 1837 option 2)


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https://gro-extranet.homeoffice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Appendix_11A_tcm69-42556.pdf

Official Sensitive

Definition of terms Acceptable – This cause of death does not need to be referred to the coroner, however if it is used in conjunction with another cause which does need to be referred, the death should still be referred to the coroner.

Mode of Dying – Refer to coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death. A mode of dying has to be supported by another cause of death which is acceptable in Part I of the MCCD.

Refer to coroner unless Medical Certificate clearly states non-industrial – Doctor would normally write non-industrial after the cause. The informant should NOT be asked as to whether the condition was caused by the deceased’s occupation

Refer to coroner – Death needs to be referred to coroner wherever this condition appears on the MCCD, regardless of any other conditions recorded

Refer to coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition – The acceptable condition must be in part 1 and below this particular condition


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A

Cause of Death

Action

Abdominal Aortic Aneurism

Acceptable

Acute Alcoholism

Refer to Coroner

Acute Dehydration

Refer to Coroner

Acute Left / right Ventricular Failure

Acceptable

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acceptable

Advancing Years – Old age

Acceptable if deceased was aged 80 or over

AIDS

Acceptable, unless the informant or MCCD states due to contaminated blood products or needles drugs etc. Do not ask question only if this information is volunteered.

Alcohol Abuse

Acceptable if long standing, refer to Coroner if sudden.

Alzheimer’s disease

Acceptable

Anaemia

Acceptable if deceased is over 70 years old – Refer to coroner if deceased under 70 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition

Ancylostomiasis

Refer to Coroner unless doctor notes non- industrial

Aneurysm – Dissecting Thoracic

Acceptable

Angiosarcoma of the Liver


Ankylostomiasis


Anorexia Nervosa

Refer to Coroner

Anthracosis, Anthracosilicosis


Anthrax


Arrhythmia – Cardiac Arrhythmia

Mode of Dying – Refer to Coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death


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Arteriosclerosis

Accetable

Asbestosis

Refer to coroner unless doctor notes non- industrial

Aspergillus

Refer to coroner if deceased is involved with animals

Asphyxia

Mode of dying – refer to Coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death

Aspiration Pneumonia

Acceptable

Asthenia

Acceptable if deceased was 70 or over

Asystolic Cardiac arrest

Mode of dying – refer to corner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death

Atrial Fibrillation

Refer to coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death


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Official Sensitive

B

Cause of Death

Action

Bacterial Meningitis

Acceptable

Bagassosis


Barotrauma


Berylliosis


Bilateral Diffuse Pleural Thickening


Birth Asphyxia

Refer to Coroner

Birth Injury

Refer to Coroner

Biventricular Failure

Refer to Coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death in 1

Bladder – Cancer of the bladder or renal pelvis or urethra or ureter (papilloma of the bladder)

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation took them into contact with industrial chemical or dyestuff preparations or process otherwise acceptable.

Bleeding Peptic Ulcer

Acceptable

Blood Poisoning – Septicaemia

Refer to Coroner if on its own or in association with an injury

Bone Marrow failure

Acceptable

Bowel Obstruction

Acceptable

Brain Failure

Mode of dying – Refer to Coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death

Bronchial or Bronchus cancer

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation took them into contact with nickel fumes or vapour or associated with fibre board or wooden goods otherwise acceptable.

Bronchopneumonia

Acceptable

Bronchopneumonic

Acceptable

Bronchospasm

Only acceptable if the deceased is over 70– Refer to Coroner if deceased under 70 years


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old and not supported by another acceptable condition

Brucella


Byssinosis



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C

Cause of Death

Action

Cachexia

Mode of dying – refer to Coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death.

Caisson Disease


Cancer of the bladder or renal pelvis or urethra or urether (papilloma of the bladder)


Cancer of the lung, bronchus or bronchial

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation took them in contact with nickel fumes, vapour or associated with fibre board or wooden goods otherwise acceptable.

Cancer of the nose (nasopharynx, nasal sinuses)

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation took them in contact with nickel fumes, vapour or associated with fibre board or wooden goods otherwise acceptable.

Cancer of the skin (epitheliomatous ulceration epithelioma, squamous-celled carcinoma, papillomatous or keratotic)

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation took them in contact with tar, mineral, oil, ardenis, pitch, bitumen, soot, etc., otherwise acceptable.

Carcinoma (t Cell)

Acceptable

Cardiac Arrest


Cardiac Failure


Cardiogenic shock


Cardio respiratory arrest


Cardio Vascular Accident


Cardio Vascular Event


Cardio Vascular Incident



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Official Sensitive

Cause of Death

Action

Cellulitis

Not acceptable on its own – Acceptable if supported by another acceptable cause of death

Cerebral/Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Not acceptable on its own – needs an underlying disease as it can be caused by trauma

Cerebrovascular Accident

Acceptable

Cerebrovascular Event

Acceptable

Cerebrovascular Haemorrhage

Acceptable

Chest Infection

Acceptable if 70 or over – Refer to Coroner if deceased under 70 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition

Cholecystitis

Acceptable

Chronic Airflow Limitation

Acceptable

Chronic bronchitis

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation was an underground coal miner otherwise acceptable.

Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease


Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease


Chronic Alcoholism

Acceptable

Circulatory Failure


Circulatory Collapse


Clostridium Difficile

Acceptable

Coma


Compressed Air illness

Not acceptable – unless doctor notes as non- industrial


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Official Sensitive

Cause of Death

Action

Congenital ventricular septal defect

Acceptable

Congestive Cardiac Failure

Acceptable

Congestive Heart Failure

Acceptable

Cot Death

Refer to Coroner

Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Acceptable

Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation brought them into contact with dust


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Official Sensitive

D

Cause of Death

Action

Debility

Mode of dying – refer to the Coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death.

Dehydration

Must be reported to the Coroner wherever it appears on the Medical Certificate

Dementia

Acceptable on its own if deceased was aged 70 or over – Refer to Coroner if deceased under 70 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition

Diabetes Mellitus

Acceptable

Diabetic foot gangrene

Acceptable

Diver’s palsy, Diver’s Paralysis

Refer to Coroner unless doctor notes non- industrial.

Difficile

Acceptable

Digoxin toxicity

Refer to Coroner if in Part 1 of MCCD

Duodenal Ulcer- Large

Refer to Coroner if not supporting another acceptable condition.

Dust reticulation


Dysbarism


Dystrophy of the cornea



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Official Sensitive

E

Cause of Death

Action

E-Coli

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition

E-Coli septicaemia

Acceptable

Electro mechanical dissociation

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition (nothing to do with life support)

Electromyography imbalance

Refer to Coroner

Emphysema

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation was an underground coal miner

Empyema

Acceptable

Encephalitis

Acceptable if deceased was 45 or over – Refer to Coroner if deceased under 45 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition

Escherichia

Acceptable

Escherichia Coli


Exhaustion

Mode of dying – refer to coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause of death

Extreme Prematurity

Acceptable

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis



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Official Sensitive

F

Cause of Death

Action

Farcy


Farmer’s lung


Fibrosing alveolitis

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation brought them in to contact with dust otherwise acceptable

Fracture

Refer to Coroner unless doctor states that it was caused by a disease (e.g. osteoporosis).

Fracture – pathological

Acceptable as fracture caused by disease


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Official Sensitive

G

Cause of Death

Action

Gangrene

Refer to Coroner if not supported by a circulatory disease

Gastric aspiration


Gastro-enteritis


Gastro intestinal bleed

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition which shows an explanation for the bleed.

Gastro intestinal Haemorrhage

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition which shows an explanation for the bleed.

General debility to old age

Acceptable if deceased is 80 or over – Refer to Coroner if deceased under 80 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition

General System failure

Acceptable if deceased is 80 or over – Refer to Coroner if deceased under 80 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition

GIT Gland

Refer to coroner

Glanders


Goodpasture’s syndrome

Acceptable

Gram negative septicaemia


Grinder’s asthma


Grinder’s phthisis



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Official Sensitive

H

Cause of Death

Action

Haematemesis

Refer to Coroner.

Haemorrhagic Shock

Refer to Coroner.

Hartmann’s procedure

Refer to Coroner unless in part II of Medical certificate.

Heart Attack

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition.

Heart Block

Acceptable

Heart Failure


Hepatic Failure


Hepatitis

Refer to Coroner if deceased was a dental or medical worker.

Hepatitis Australian antigen

Refer to Coroner

Hepatitis B

Refer to Coroner

Hepatitis Viral

Refer to Coroner

Hepatorenal Failure


Huntington’s chorea

Acceptable

Hypertension

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition but it can support renal failure.

Hyperthermia

Refer to Coroner

Hypothermia

Refer to Coroner

Hypoxic Brain Injury

Refer to Coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition that will explain lack of oxygen to the brain.

Hyprovel-hyproalbuminaemia

Refer to Coroner if in Part 1 of the MCCD


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Official Sensitive

I

Cause of Death

Action

Latrogenic

Refer to coroner if in part 1 of the MCCD

Inanition

Refer to Coroner

Inflammatory bowel disease

Acceptable

Infective Endocarditis

Acceptable

Influenza

Acceptable

Injury

Refer to Coroner

Intestinal bleeding

Refer to coroner unless supported by another acceptable cause that explains the bleeding

Intestinal Ischaemia

Acceptable

Intestinal Obstruction

Acceptable

Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Refer to Coroner unless supported by another acceptable cause that explains the haemorrhage as non-traumatic.

Intracranial Haemorrhage

Refer to Coroner unless supported by another acceptable cause that explains the haemorrhage as non-traumatic.

Intraoral squamous-cell carcinoma

Refer to Coroner if deceased’s occupation brought them in to contact with tar otherwise acceptable.

Ischaemic heart disease

Acceptable

Ischaemic bowel

Acceptable

J

Cause of Death

Action

Jaundice

Refer to Coroner


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Official Sensitive

K

Cause of Death

Action

Kidney failure/injury


Kidney stones

Acceptable

L

Cause of Death

Action

Leaking aortic aneurysm

Acceptable

Left Ventricular Failure

Acceptable

Leptospira canicola

Refer to coroner unless Medical Certificate clearly states non-industrial.

Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae


Lewy body Dementia

Acceptable

Linitis Plastica

Acceptable

Liver Failure

Refer to coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Acceptable

Lung cancer (cancer of the lung, bronchus or bronchial)

Refer to Coroner if deceased occupation brought them into contact with nickel fumes or vapour or associated with fibreboard or wooden goods otherwise acceptable.

Lupus erythematosus

Acceptable

Lymphoproliferative disorder disease

Acceptable


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Official Sensitive

M

Cause of Death

Action

Malignant Disease (cancer or sarcoma or leukaemia or anaemia)

Refer to Coroner if deceased occupation brought into contact with x-rays or radioactive substances or radiations.

Malignant Pustule

Refer to coroner unless Medical Certificate clearly states non-industrial

Malnutrition (self neglect)

Refer to Coroner

Medical techniques

Refer to coroner in Part 1, accept if in part II of the medical certificate

Meningitis

Acceptable

Meningococcal meningitis

Acceptable

Meningococcal septicaemia

Acceptable

Mesothelioma


Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Refer to coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition

MRSA Septicaemia


Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection

Acceptable

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Acceptable

Multiple system failure


Multiple system atrophy (Advice received from Home Office Medical Advisor on 27th June 2017)

M.S.A. should be considered as: a degenerative disease of the brain (akin to Parkinson’s Disease), and should therefore be considered to be acceptable as a Cause of Death on its own.

Multiple organ failure


Myelodysplasia

Acceptable

Myeloma

Acceptable

Myeloproliferative disorder

Acceptable

Myocardial Infarction, failure or degeneration

Acceptable


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Official Sensitive

N

Cause of Death

Action

Natural Causes


Nephrotic syndrome

Acceptable

Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis


O

Cause of Death

Action

Occipital lobe infarction

Acceptable provided the deceased is not a child.

Old age

Acceptable provided the deceased is 80 or over – Refer to coroner if deceased under 80 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition.

On chronic renal failure


Osteolysis of the terminal phalanges of the fingers


Osteonecrosis



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Official Sensitive

P

Cause of Death

Action

Pancreatitis

Acceptable

Papilloma of the Bladder – Cancer of the bladder or renal pelvis or urethra or ureter (papilloma of the bladder)


Parkinsonism, Parkinson’s Disease

Acceptable

Pathological fracture

Acceptable

Peptic Ulcer

Refer to Coroner if not supporting another acceptable condition.

Perforated (Perforation of the)Bowel

Refer to coroner if nothing to explain - such as carcinoma– need to know what cause as it could be due to dehydration.

Perforated diverticular abscess

Acceptable

Perforated intra-abdominal viscus


Perinatal asphyxia

Acceptable for a neonatal death.

Peripheral vascular disease

Acceptable

Peritonitis

Acceptable

Pleural mesothelioma


Plumbism

Refer to Coroner

Pneumococcal septicaemia

Acceptable

Pneumoconiosis


Probably

Refer to coroner if used in part 1 of the MCCD unless it is only referring to the primary site

Pseudo-obstruction

Acceptable

Pulmonary embolism

Acceptable

Pulmonary tuberculosis



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Official Sensitive

Q

Cause of Death

Action

R

Cause of Death

Action

Radiation Colitis

Refer to Coroner.

Refusal to eat

Refer to Coroner.

Renal Failure (On chronic renal failure)

Refer to coroner if not supported by another acceptable condition. Acceptable if supported by Hypertension

Renal/kidney injury


Respiratory Arrest or Failure

Mode of dying – refer to coroner unless supported by an acceptable cause

Respiratory part arterial fibrillation

Acceptable

Rett’s syndrome

Acceptable

Rheumatic heart disease

Acceptable

Rheumatoid arthritis

Acceptable

Right ventricular failure

Acceptable

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurism

Acceptable


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Official Sensitive

S

Cause of Death

Action

Saturnism

Refer to Coroner

Senile dementia

Acceptable if deceased was aged 70 or over – Refer to Coroner if deceased under 70 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition.

Senility

Acceptable if deceased was aged 80 or over however if informant says that deceased was not ill or is unhappy with senility as a cause of death, refer to Coroner.

Sepsis

Refer to Coroner if not explained by something that can cause infection.

Septic Shock


Septicaemia

Refer to Coroner if not explained by something that can cause infection.

Siderosis


Silicosis


Smokers Blindness

Refer to Coroner unless supported by another acceptable cause of death

Smoking


Spinal chord ischaemia

Acceptable

Spirochaetal jaundice


Spontaneous Gastro Intestinal bleed/haemorrhage


Spontaneous Intracerebral haemorrhage

Acceptable

Staphylococcus


Steel Richardson syndrome

Acceptable

Streptococcal septicaemia

Refer to coroner


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Official Sensitive

Streptococcus

Refer to coroner .

Streptococcus suis


Stroke

Acceptable provided deceased is not a child.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

Acceptable

Subdural haematoma

Refer to Coroner

Sudden infant death syndrome


Syncope


Systemic lupus erythmatosus

Acceptable

Systemic mixed connective tissue disorder

Acceptable


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Official Sensitive

T

Cause of Death

Action

Tetanus

Refer to Coroner

Toxic anaemia

Refer to coroner unless Medical Certificate clearly states that death was due to natural causes.

Toxic jaundice

Refer to coroner unless Medical Certificate clearly states that death was due to natural causes.

Toxicity

Refer to Coroner

Tuberculosis


U

Cause of Death

Action

Ulcer (large Duodenal

Refer to coroner unless supported by another acceptable condition

Unknown

Refer to Coroner unless cause of death given but as with a malignant disease the site is unknown.

Uraemia


Urethra or Urether Cancer of the bladder or Renal Pelvis or urethra or urether (Papilloma of the bladder


Urinary tract infection

Acceptable

Urosepsis

Acceptable


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Official Sensitive

V

Cause of Death

Action

Vagal inhibition


Vasovagal attacks


Ventricular Failure


Viral Hepatitis


Viral illness

Acceptable if deceased aged 70 or over – Refer to coroner if deceased under 70 years old and not supported by another acceptable condition.

W

Cause of Death

Action

Weil’s disease

Refer to Coroner unless Medical Certificate clearly states non-industrial

X

Cause of Death

Action

X rays

Refer to Coroner if in part 1 of MCCD

Y

Cause of Death

Action

Z

Cause of Death

Action


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