2025 ICD-10-CM code P78.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Digestive system disorders of newborn - Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period 16 Feed
Other neonatal peritonitis.Neonatal peritonitis NOS.
Medical necessity for the treatment of neonatal peritonitis is established by the clinical presentation and supporting diagnostic evidence of the condition.The severity of the peritonitis, the infant's overall health, and any associated conditions contribute to the determination of medical necessity.
Diagnosing and treating neonatal peritonitis typically falls under the purview of neonatologists and pediatric surgeons.
- 16
- Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96), Digestive system disorders of newborn (P76-P78)
In simple words: This code indicates that a newborn baby has a general inflammation of the lining of their abdomen called peritonitis.
This code describes a newborn with peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs), not otherwise specified.
Example 1: A newborn infant presents with abdominal distension, tenderness, and feeding intolerance.Diagnostic tests reveal peritonitis, but no specific cause is identified. P78.1 is assigned., A premature infant develops necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition, which leads to peritonitis.While NEC itself has specific codes, if the peritonitis is a primary concern and not solely a consequence of NEC,P78.1 might be used as a secondary diagnosis., A newborn undergoes surgery for a perforated bowel. Post-operatively, they develop peritonitis. P78.1 would be used to code the peritonitis.
Documentation for P78.1 should include clinical findings like abdominal distension, tenderness, guarding, and signs of infection (e.g., fever, elevated white blood cell count). Imaging studies (e.g., X-ray, ultrasound) and laboratory results supporting the diagnosis of peritonitis should also be included. Any underlying causes or associated conditions should be documented as well.
** Excludes1: cystic fibrosis (E84.0-E84.9) neonatal gastrointestinal hemorrhages (P54.0-P54.3). Excludes2: congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99) endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88) injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) neoplasms (C00-D49) tetanus neonatorum (A33)
- Specialties:Neonatology, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Birthing Center