2025 ICD-10-CM code P24.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Perinatal conditions - Respiratory and cardiovascular disorders specific to the perinatal period Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96) Feed
Meconium aspiration in a newborn.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the case and the healthcare provider’s specific role.
Medical necessity for coding P24.0 is established by the presence of clinical findings (e.g., respiratory distress, meconium staining) that indicate the need for diagnosis, treatment, and management of meconium aspiration.The severity of respiratory compromise dictates the level of medical intervention required, justifying the code's use.Payers may have specific guidelines regarding the level of respiratory support or additional interventions required to establish medical necessity.
Neonatologists, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals involved in newborn care are responsible for diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of meconium aspiration.
- Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96)
- P24.0 is under the broader category of P24 (Neonatal aspiration), which falls under chapter P (Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period).
In simple words: This code describes when a baby breathes in their first bowel movement (meconium) before or during birth. This can cause breathing problems for the baby.
Meconium aspiration refers to the inhalation of meconium (the first stool of a newborn) into the lungs, typically occurring during labor or delivery.This can lead to respiratory distress and other complications in the newborn.The code may be further specified with additional 7th characters indicating the presence or absence of respiratory symptoms.Aspiration can occur in utero or during delivery.
Example 1: A full-term infant is born with meconium staining and exhibits respiratory distress immediately after birth.Chest X-ray reveals patchy infiltrates consistent with meconium aspiration.The neonatologist manages the infant with respiratory support., A premature infant delivered via cesarean section is found to have aspirated meconium during delivery, as evidenced by the presence of meconium in the trachea and bronchi. The infant requires intubation and mechanical ventilation., A term newborn exhibits mild respiratory symptoms after delivery.Meconium staining is present, but the baby's respiratory status improves with simple respiratory support without further intervention.
Detailed documentation should include: maternal history (e.g., meconium-stained amniotic fluid), delivery method, infant's Apgar scores, respiratory status at birth and after delivery, chest X-ray findings, treatments administered (e.g., respiratory support, surfactant therapy), and the infant’s response to treatment.
** This code is exclusively for use in newborn records; it should never be used for maternal records.Meconium aspiration can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Accurate coding requires precise clinical documentation to reflect the infant's condition and the level of care provided.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this diagnostic code.
- Specialties:Neonatology, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Birthing Center,Ambulatory Surgical Center