ICD-10 Guide

Short Stature

ICD-10 Coding for Short Stature(E34.321, R62.52)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYEndocrinology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Short Stature?

Essential facts and insights about Short Stature

Key Clinical Considerations:

Height significantly below the 3rd percentile for age and sex
Growth velocity less than expected for age
Delayed bone age on radiographic assessment

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient's growth chart with percentiles
Family history of short stature or growth disorders
Detailed physical examination notes including height, weight, and BMI

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Use R62.52 for unspecified short stature; Q77.4 for endocrine-related causes.
Common errors include using incorrect codes for growth disorders.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Genetic syndromes causing short stature
Codes for obesity-related short stature

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Endocrinology

Specialty Applications

Pediatric patients with growth concerns
Endocrinology clinics and pediatric practices

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Include growth charts, family history, and physical exam findings.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the underlying cause of short stature.

Short Stature

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Short Stature

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?