2025 ICD-10-CM code K90.3
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the digestive system - Other diseases of the digestive system Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95) Feed
Pancreatic steatorrhea. This condition affects the body's ability to properly absorb nutrients from food due to impaired pancreatic function.
The medical necessity for services related to K90.3 is established by the presence of signs and symptoms of pancreatic steatorrhea, confirmed by appropriate diagnostic testing.The documentation should clearly demonstrate the impact of the condition on the patient's health and quality of life, justifying the need for treatment such as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and nutritional support.
Diagnosis and management of pancreatic steatorrhea typically falls under the purview of gastroenterologists. They are responsible for conducting appropriate diagnostic tests, such as stool analysis and imaging studies, to confirm the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause.Based on the diagnosis, gastroenterologists develop a treatment plan to manage the condition, often involving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and dietary modifications.
In simple words: Pancreatic steatorrhea occurs when your pancreas doesn't make enough enzymes to digest the fat in your food. This leads to fatty stools and problems absorbing nutrients.
Pancreatic steatorrhea is a condition characterized by the presence of excess fat in the feces due to insufficient pancreatic enzyme activity.The pancreas plays a crucial role in digestion by producing enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. In pancreatic steatorrhea, the pancreas does not produce enough of these enzymes, particularly lipase, which is responsible for digesting fats. This leads to malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, resulting in fatty stools, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies.
Example 1: A 45-year-old patient presents with chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Stool analysis reveals a high fat content, suggesting steatorrhea.Further investigation with imaging and blood tests leads to a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, the underlying cause of the pancreatic steatorrhea.The patient is prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and dietary counseling., A child experiences frequent foul-smelling, bulky stools and failure to thrive. After ruling out other causes of malabsorption, tests reveal insufficient pancreatic enzyme production, leading to a diagnosis of pancreatic steatorrhea.The child is started on pancreatic enzyme supplements and a high-calorie diet to improve nutrient absorption and promote growth., Following a Whipple procedure for pancreatic cancer, a patient develops symptoms of steatorrhea.This is a common complication due to the removal of a portion of the pancreas, affecting enzyme production.Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is initiated to manage the steatorrhea and ensure adequate nutrient absorption.
Documentation for K90.3 should include details of the patient's symptoms (e.g., frequency and character of stools, abdominal pain, weight loss), results of stool analysis showing increased fat content, and any diagnostic tests performed to determine the underlying cause of pancreatic insufficiency (e.g., imaging studies, blood tests for pancreatic enzymes).Additionally, documentation should include the treatment plan, including pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy dosage and any dietary modifications.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology