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2025 ICD-10-CM code Q34.8

Other specified congenital malformations of respiratory system. This includes conditions like nasopharyngeal atresia.

Excludes2: inborn errors of metabolism (E70-E88). The code is exempt from the "Present on Admission" (POA) reporting requirement.

Medical necessity is established by the presence of a congenital respiratory malformation impacting the patient's respiratory function, requiring diagnostic testing, medical or surgical intervention, and long-term follow-up care.

Diagnosis and management fall under the purview of specialists in pediatric pulmonology, otolaryngology (ENT), and potentially geneticists depending on the specific malformation.

IMPORTANT:While Q34.8 has been used for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) since 2017 due to the lack of a specific code, it is essential to note that this code encompasses other respiratory malformations and is not exclusive to PCD.

In simple words: This code represents a birth defect affecting the respiratory system that is not otherwise specified in the ICD-10-CM coding system. This can involve different parts of the respiratory system like the nose, throat, airways, and lungs.

Other specified congenital malformations of respiratory system, encompassing anomalies and structural defects not classified elsewhere within the Q30-Q34 range. This includes conditions such as nasopharyngeal atresia and can also be applicable to primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in certain clinical scenarios.

Example 1: A newborn is diagnosed with nasopharyngeal atresia, a congenital blockage of the nasal passages, requiring surgical intervention to establish airway patency., An infant presents with recurrent respiratory infections and situs inversus, raising suspicion for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), and Q34.8 is used in the absence of a dedicated PCD code., A child undergoes diagnostic evaluation for congenital mediastinal cyst discovered incidentally on a chest X-ray, which is determined to compress adjacent airways, necessitating surgical excision.This specific scenario would be better classified under Q34.1 (Congenital cyst of mediastinum), not Q34.8.

Thorough clinical examination findings, imaging studies (chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI), genetic testing (especially for PCD), and operative reports (if surgery is performed) are crucial for accurate coding and documentation.

** For Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, although Q34.8 is used in the absence of a specific code, advocating for more specific coding for PCD is necessary to facilitate data collection, research, and resource allocation.

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