P20-P25
Medium Complexity

Birth trauma

Primary Specialty: Pediatrics
Last Updated: 2025-09-09

ICD-10 Codes (38)

37 billable
0 category headers
P22
Respiratory distress of newborn
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P22.0
Billable
Respiratory distress syndrome of newborn
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P22.1
Billable
Transient tachypnea of newborn
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P22.8
Billable
Other respiratory distress of newborn
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P22.9
Billable
Respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified
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P23
Billable
Congenital pneumonia
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P23.0
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to viral agent
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P23.1
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to Chlamydia
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P23.2
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to staphylococcus
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P23.3
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to streptococcus, group B
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P23.4
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to Escherichia coli
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P23.5
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to Pseudomonas
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P23.6
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to other bacterial agents
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P23.8
Billable
Congenital pneumonia due to other organisms
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P23.9
Billable
Congenital pneumonia, unspecified
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P24
Billable
Neonatal aspiration
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P24.0
Billable
Meconium aspiration
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P24.00
Billable
Meconium aspiration without respiratory symptoms
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P24.01
Billable
Meconium aspiration with respiratory symptoms
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P24.1
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of (clear) amniotic fluid and mucus
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P24.10
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of (clear) amniotic fluid and mucus without respiratory symptoms
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P24.11
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of (clear) amniotic fluid and mucus with respiratory symptoms
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P24.2
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of blood
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P24.20
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of blood without respiratory symptoms
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P24.21
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of blood with respiratory symptoms
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P24.3
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of milk and regurgitated food
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P24.30
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of milk and regurgitated food without respiratory symptoms
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P24.31
Billable
Neonatal aspiration of milk and regurgitated food with respiratory symptoms
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P24.8
Billable
Other neonatal aspiration
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P24.80
Billable
Other neonatal aspiration without respiratory symptoms
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P24.81
Billable
Other neonatal aspiration with respiratory symptoms
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P24.9
Billable
Neonatal aspiration, unspecified
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P25
Billable
Interstitial emphysema and related conditions originating in the perinatal period
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P25.0
Billable
Interstitial emphysema originating in the perinatal period
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P25.1
Billable
Pneumothorax originating in the perinatal period
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P25.2
Billable
Pneumomediastinum originating in the perinatal period
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P25.3
Billable
Pneumopericardium originating in the perinatal period
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P25.8
Billable
Other conditions related to interstitial emphysema originating in the perinatal period
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Updates & Changes

FY 2026 Updates

Current Year

New Codes (1)

P04.49
Newborn affected by maternal use of other drugs of addiction

Revised Codes (1)

P04.17
Newborn affected by maternal use of cocaine - updated neonatal abstinence syndrome correlation

Deleted Codes

No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026

Historical Changes

  • FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
  • FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
  • FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity

Upcoming Changes

  • Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
  • Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes

Implementation Guidance

  • Review all FY 2026 updates for P20-P25 codes before implementation
  • Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
  • Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
  • +3 more guidance items...

Range Overview

high priority

The ICD-10 code range P20-P25 pertains to birth trauma, including injuries to the fetus or newborn during labor and delivery. These codes cover a variety of conditions, from intrauterine hypoxia to birth injury to the scalp. Accurate coding of these conditions is essential for appropriate patient care, data collection, and reimbursement.

Key Usage Points:

  • Always code to the highest level of specificity.
  • Consider additional codes to identify any associated conditions.
  • Use additional code from category P29 if newborn is affected by birth trauma.
  • For birth trauma to the peripheral nervous system, use codes from P14.
  • For birth trauma to the central nervous system, use codes from P11.

Coding Guidelines

When to Use:

  • When a newborn has suffered a birth injury.
  • When there is evidence of intrauterine hypoxia.
  • When there is a birth injury to the scalp.
  • When a newborn has a fracture of clavicle due to birth trauma.
  • When a newborn has a birth injury to the peripheral nervous system.

When NOT to Use:

  • When the newborn is healthy and has not suffered any birth trauma.
  • When the injury occurred post-delivery.
  • When the condition is not related to birth trauma.
  • When the condition is a congenital anomaly, not a birth trauma.
  • When the condition is due to maternal factors.

Code Exclusions

Always verify exclusions in the ICD-10-CM manual before finalizing coding.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation for birth trauma should be comprehensive, detailing the type of trauma, the cause, and any resulting conditions or complications. It should also include the newborn's health status and any treatments provided.

Clinical Information:

  • Type of birth trauma
  • Cause of birth trauma
  • Resulting conditions or complications
  • Newborn's health status
  • Treatments provided

Supporting Evidence:

  • Labor and delivery records
  • Newborn physical examination
  • Diagnostic test results
  • Treatment records
Good Documentation Example:

Newborn male with intrauterine hypoxia due to umbilical cord around neck. Treated with supplemental oxygen.

Poor Documentation Example:

Newborn with breathing problems.

Common Documentation Errors:

  • Not documenting the cause of the birth trauma
  • Not specifying the type of birth trauma
  • Not including resulting conditions or complications
  • Not detailing treatments provided

Range Statistics

6
Total Codes
37
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:16

Coding Complexity

Medium
Complexity Rating

Coding for birth trauma can be moderately complex due to the need to accurately identify the specific type of trauma, any resulting conditions or complications, and the cause of the trauma. Additionally, there are numerous subcategories within this code range, and coders must stay current with any changes or updates.

Key Factors:
  • Determining the specific type of birth trauma
  • Identifying any resulting conditions or complications
  • Understanding the cause of the birth trauma
  • Navigating the numerous subcategories within this code range
  • Keeping up with any changes or updates to the codes

Specialty Focus

These codes are primarily used by pediatricians, neonatologists, and obstetricians. They are also relevant for hospital coders and data analysts.

Primary Specialties:
Pediatrics
40%
Neonatology
30%
Obstetrics
30%
Clinical Scenarios:
  • Newborn with intrauterine hypoxia due to umbilical cord around neck
  • Newborn with birth injury to the scalp due to forceps delivery
  • Newborn with fracture of clavicle due to birth trauma
  • Newborn with birth injury to the brachial plexus
  • Newborn with intracranial hemorrhage due to birth trauma

Resources & References

There are numerous resources available for coding birth trauma, including the ICD-10-CM manual, coding training materials, and professional coding organizations.

Official Guidelines:

  • ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
  • American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
  • American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Clinical References:

  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Educational Materials:

  • ICD-10-CM Coding Handbook
  • ICD-10-CM Coding Workbook
  • Online coding courses

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a code from this range if the injury occurred post-delivery?

No, these codes are specifically for injuries that occur during labor and delivery. Injuries that occur post-delivery should be coded elsewhere.