Birth injury to facial nerve
ICD-10 P11.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of birth injury to facial nerve.
Birth injury to the facial nerve (P11.3) refers to damage sustained by the facial nerve during the process of delivery, which can result in weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of the face. This condition is often associated with difficult deliveries, particularly those involving forceps or vacuum extraction. The clinical presentation may include asymmetry of facial expressions, inability to close the eye on the affected side, and drooping of the mouth. The injury is typically transient, with most infants recovering fully within weeks to months. However, in some cases, the injury may lead to long-term complications. Accurate diagnosis and documentation are crucial for appropriate management and coding. Other birth injuries to the central nervous system, such as intracranial hemorrhage or spinal cord injury, may also occur during delivery and can complicate the clinical picture. Understanding the nuances of these injuries is essential for effective neonatal care and coding.
Detailed documentation of the delivery process, including any interventions used, and the infant's clinical status post-delivery.
Infants delivered via forceps or vacuum extraction presenting with facial asymmetry or inability to move facial muscles.
Consideration of other potential birth injuries and the need for multidisciplinary follow-up.
Documentation of developmental milestones and follow-up assessments to monitor recovery from facial nerve injury.
Pediatric visits for infants with facial nerve injury to assess recovery and any associated developmental concerns.
Awareness of the long-term implications of facial nerve injuries and the need for potential referrals to specialists.
Used when a newborn with facial nerve injury requires critical care management.
Detailed documentation of the infant's clinical status and interventions provided.
Neonatologists should ensure comprehensive documentation to support critical care coding.
Common causes include the use of forceps or vacuum extraction during delivery, which can exert excessive pressure on the facial nerve, leading to injury.
