In simple words: This code is used when a pregnant woman is seen by a healthcare professional for screening to check if the fetus is growing at the expected rate.

This code is used for encounters for antenatal screening for fetal growth retardation (IUGR).Screening is the testing for disease or disease precursors in asymptomatic individuals to provide early detection and treatment.

Example 1: A pregnant woman in her second trimester has an ultrasound that shows measurements smaller than expected for her gestational age.She is seen for further evaluation and screening for fetal growth retardation using Z36.4., A woman with a history of previous pregnancies complicated by IUGR is seen for antenatal screening of her current pregnancy using Doppler ultrasound and other methods.The encounter is coded as Z36.4., A pregnant woman is sent for a consultation with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist due to suspected IUGR based on an earlier ultrasound. The specialist reviews the prior studies and performs additional assessments. This encounter is coded with Z36.4.

Documentation should include details of the screening tests performed (e.g. ultrasound measurements, Doppler flow studies), the gestational age, any relevant risk factors, and the results of the screening, including the estimated fetal weight and any discrepancies from normal growth patterns.

** This code is for screening purposes.If IUGR is confirmed, the appropriate diagnosis code for IUGR (P05.-) should be used instead.