ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesP37.9

P37.9

Billable

Congenital infectious or parasitic disease, unspecified

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 P37.9 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of congenital infectious or parasitic disease, unspecified.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Congenital infectious or parasitic diseases encompass a range of conditions that can affect newborns, often transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery. These diseases can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in neonates. Common congenital infections include congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), congenital rubella syndrome, and congenital toxoplasmosis. Congenital tuberculosis, while less common, can also occur and may present with respiratory distress or systemic illness in the newborn. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, can lead to severe neurological impairment and ocular issues if not diagnosed early. The clinical presentation of these infections can vary widely, necessitating thorough evaluation and management in the neonatal period. Early identification and treatment are crucial to improving outcomes for affected infants. The unspecified nature of code P37.9 indicates that the specific infectious or parasitic disease has not been clearly defined, which may complicate treatment and management strategies.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in clinical presentation of congenital infections.
  • Need for comprehensive maternal history to identify potential infections.
  • Differentiation between congenital and acquired infections.
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other neonatal conditions.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of maternal infection history.
  • Failure to specify the type of congenital infection.
  • Misclassification of congenital versus acquired infections.
  • Lack of supporting clinical evidence for diagnosis.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Neonatology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed neonatal examination findings, maternal history of infections, and laboratory results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Infants presenting with jaundice, respiratory distress, or neurological symptoms requiring NICU admission.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding requires clear documentation of clinical findings and maternal risk factors.

Pediatrics

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive pediatric assessments, including developmental evaluations and follow-up care plans.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Pediatric follow-ups for infants diagnosed with congenital infections, monitoring for developmental delays.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of long-term effects of congenital infections on growth and development.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use P37.9 When
  • Perinatal coding guidelines emphasize the importance of specificity in diagnosis
  • Coders should ensure that documentation supports the use of P37
  • 9 and consider the need for additional codes to specify the type of congenital infection when known

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use P37.9 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99460CPT Code

Initial hospital care, per day, for evaluation and management of a normal newborn infant

Clinical Scenario

Used for newborns with suspected congenital infections requiring evaluation.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation of clinical findings and any diagnostic tests performed.

Specialty Considerations

Neonatologists should ensure thorough documentation of all assessments.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding congenital infections, improving the ability to track and manage these conditions effectively. However, it also requires coders to be more diligent in documentation and coding practices.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding congenital infections, improving the ability to track and manage these conditions effectively. However, it also requires coders to be more diligent in documentation and coding practices.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding congenital infections, improving the ability to track and manage these conditions effectively. However, it also requires coders to be more diligent in documentation and coding practices.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    CDC Congenital Infections

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    CDC Congenital Infections

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common congenital infections that may be coded under P37.9?

Common congenital infections include congenital cytomegalovirus, congenital rubella syndrome, and congenital toxoplasmosis. Each of these conditions has specific clinical features and implications for neonatal care.