2025 ICD-10-CM code O86.4
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Complications predominantly related to the puerperium - Other puerperal infections XV Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium Feed
Pyrexia of unknown origin following delivery;Fever of unknown cause after childbirth.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of fever (≥38°C) in the postpartum period, along with the need to determine the underlying cause to ensure appropriate management and prevent potential complications.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Family Physician
- XV Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
- O85-O92 (Complications predominantly related to the puerperium)
In simple words: This code is used when a mother has a fever after giving birth, and the doctor doesn't know the reason for the fever.
This code signifies pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin occurring after delivery.It includes puerperal infection not otherwise specified (NOS) and puerperal pyrexia NOS.It excludes pyrexia during labor (O75.2) and puerperal fever (O85).
Example 1: A 30-year-old woman delivers vaginally. Two days postpartum, she presents with a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) and no other apparent symptoms.Initial investigations are negative. O86.4 is assigned pending further diagnostic tests., A 25-year-old woman has a Cesarean section. On postoperative day 3, she displays a fever of 102°F (38.9°C), localized abdominal tenderness, and elevated white blood cell count.Although a postoperative infection is suspected, the specific pathogen is not yet identified, so O86.4 is coded initially., A 35-year-old woman delivers a healthy baby. Postpartum day 5, she develops a fever of 100.4°F (38°C), chills, and generalized malaise.Blood cultures are drawn, and a broad-spectrum antibiotic is started empirically.O86.4 is assigned because the cause of the fever is still unknown.
Complete history and physical examination, vital signs (including temperature), laboratory data (complete blood count, blood cultures, urinalysis), and imaging studies (if indicated) to support the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin.Document any treatment rendered.
** This code is primarily used for initial coding when the cause of the fever is unknown.The code should be reviewed and potentially changed once the cause is identified.This code is for maternal records only; it should not be used for newborn records.
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- Payment Status: Active
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- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office