In simple words: This code indicates a pregnant woman in her third trimester (28 weeks or later) is experiencing eclampsia, a serious condition involving seizures, usually in the setting of high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Eclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy characterized by seizures that cannot be attributed to other causes. It typically occurs in patients who already have preeclampsia, a condition involving high blood pressure and protein in the urine and can occur during pregnancy and after delivery. This code specifies that the eclampsia is occurring during the third trimester of pregnancy (28 weeks or more).

Example 1: A 32-week pregnant woman presents to the ER with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Her blood pressure is 170/110 mmHg, and urinalysis reveals significant proteinuria.She has no prior history of seizures. She is diagnosed with eclampsia., A woman with preeclampsia develops sudden onset of seizures at 35 weeks of gestation, during her scheduled prenatal visit. This is her first episode of seizures., A woman develops severe headaches, visual disturbances, and right upper quadrant pain 3 days postpartum. She suddenly develops seizures. Her blood pressure is elevated and lab tests show proteinuria.

Documentation should include blood pressure readings, urinalysis results (proteinuria), details of the seizure activity, presence of pre-eclamptic symptoms prior to seizures, and treatment provided.

** This information is current as of December 1, 2024.Coding guidelines and reimbursement policies are subject to change.