2025 ICD-10-CM code O26.4
Herpes gestationis, a rare autoimmune skin condition that occurs during pregnancy.
Medical necessity for the care of herpes gestationis stems from the potential for significant maternal discomfort and potential complications, such as premature birth.Appropriate diagnosis and management are necessary to alleviate symptoms and ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.
The clinician is responsible for diagnosing herpes gestationis based on the characteristic rash and other clinical findings, and for managing the condition, which may include prescribing topical or systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, or other medications to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
- Chapter 15: Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- Other maternal disorders predominantly related to pregnancy (O20-O29)
In simple words: This code refers to a rare skin rash that pregnant women can get, called herpes gestationis. It causes very itchy blisters.
Maternal care for herpes gestationis, a rare skin condition characterized by intensely itchy blisters and bumps, predominantly affecting pregnant women.
Example 1: A woman in her second trimester presents with an intensely itchy rash characterized by blisters and bumps on her abdomen and extremities. After a thorough examination and appropriate investigations, the diagnosis of herpes gestationis is made, and the code O26.4 is assigned., A pregnant woman with a history of herpes gestationis in a previous pregnancy experiences a recurrence of the condition during her current pregnancy. The code O26.4 is used again to document the condition., A patient who delivered a baby two weeks ago is still experiencing itchy blisters related to herpes gestationis, which began during her pregnancy. O26.4 is assigned as part of postpartum care.
Documentation should include a detailed description of the rash, including its location, appearance, and associated symptoms.Diagnostic tests, such as skin biopsies and blood tests, if performed, should also be documented, along with the treatment plan and the patient's response to treatment.
** It is important to differentiate herpes gestationis from other pregnancy-related skin conditions, such as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) and pemphigoid gestationis (PG), as well as other dermatological conditions.Although the name suggests a connection to herpes simplex virus, herpes gestationis is not caused by a viral infection and is unrelated to genital herpes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dermatology
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital