2025 ICD-10-CM code A50.43
Late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy. This condition affects multiple peripheral nerves due to late activation of congenital syphilis, typically presenting two years after birth or later.
Medical necessity for services related to late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy is established by the presence of signs and symptoms of peripheral nerve damage in a patient with confirmed or suspected congenital syphilis.The specific diagnostic tests and treatments must be clinically justified based on the patient's individual presentation and needs.
The healthcare provider diagnoses the condition based on medical history, a physical exam (including reflex testing), electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and laboratory tests (including serological tests for syphilis).Additional tests like a CT scan of the head or an MRI may also be ordered. Treatment involves antibiotics (usually penicillin) for syphilis and other medications to manage symptoms.
- Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission (A50-A64)
In simple words: Late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy is a nerve disease that occurs in children born with syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. A pregnant woman with syphilis can pass the infection to her unborn baby. If the child is born with syphilis, the nerve problems may not appear until the child is at least two years old. These nerve problems are caused by damage to many nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. These nerves control movement, feeling, and other functions in the body.
Late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy is a condition characterized by damage to multiple peripheral nerves resulting from congenital syphilis.Congenital syphilis is transmitted from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or delivery. Symptoms of late congenital syphilis typically manifest at or after two years of age. Polyneuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nervous system, which can lead to a range of neurological symptoms.
Example 1: A 5-year-old child presents with progressive weakness and numbness in their hands and feet, along with difficulty walking.Upon further examination and testing, the child is diagnosed with late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy., A teenager experiences unexplained vision loss and abnormal pupil responses. Diagnostic tests reveal the presence of syphilis, and the vision loss is attributed to optic nerve atrophy related to late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy., A young adult with a history of congenital syphilis develops cognitive impairment, including memory loss and difficulty with thinking. After a comprehensive neurological assessment, they receive a diagnosis of late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy affecting the central nervous system.
Documentation should include details about the onset, type, and severity of neurological symptoms. Evidence of congenital syphilis infection (e.g., positive serological tests, maternal history) is essential. Results of EMG, NCS, and any imaging studies should be documented. Response to treatment should also be noted.
- Specialties:Pediatric Neurology, Infectious Disease, Ophthalmology (if optic nerve involvement is present)
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Off Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office