Severe Protein Calorie Malnutrition ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 codes are used for severe protein-calorie malnutrition?

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition, often referred to as severe malnutrition, is a critical nutritional deficiency. Here are commonly used ICD-10-CM codes for severe protein-calorie malnutrition, along with brief clinical descriptions:

• E41 - Nutritional marasmus: Used when there is severe malnutrition due to a deficiency of calories and protein. This code is specific to marasmus, a form of severe malnutrition.
• E42 - Marasmic kwashiorkor: Used when the patient has severe-protein calorie malnutrition with signs of both marasmus and kwashiorkor.
• E43 - Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition: Applied when severe protein-calorie malnutrition is diagnosed, but the specific type is not further specified.
• E44.0 - Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition: Utilized for cases of moderate malnutrition where the deficiency is not yet severe.
• E44.1 - Mild protein-calorie malnutrition: Used for mild protein-calorie malnutrition distinct from marasmus or kwashiorkor.

Which severe protein-calorie malnutrition ICD codes are billable?

The billable status of the mentioned ICD-10 codes for severe protein-calorie malnutrition varies:

• E41 - Nutritional marasmus: Yes, billable. Medical expenses for nutritional marasmus can be claimed.
• E42 - Marasmic kwashiorkor: Yes, this is billable.
• E43 - Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition: Yes, billable. Costs associated with unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition can be reimbursed.
• E44.0 - Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition: Yes, billable. Medical expenses for moderate malnutrition can be claimed.
• E44.1 - Mild protein-calorie malnutrition: Yes, billable. Costs associated with mild protein-calorie malnutrition can be reimbursed.

Clinical information

• Severe protein calorie malnutrition (PCM), which is one of the many metabolic diseases and may start with mild-protein calorie malnutrition, is characterized by an extreme deficiency of protein and calories, leading to significant weight loss and muscle wasting.
• Diagnosis involves clinical assessment, reviewing medical history, and evaluating physical signs like muscle wasting, edema, and skin changes.
• Laboratory tests, including serum albumin and albumin levels, can provide further diagnostic insight.
• Treatment strategies focus on nutritional rehabilitation and may include hospitalization for severe cases.
• Nutritional support often involves high-calorie, high-protein diets, sometimes administered through enteral or parenteral nutrition.
• Management should address underlying causes such as chronic illness, eating disorders, or socioeconomic factors.
• Regular monitoring and follow-up are crucial to assess nutritional improvement and address any complications.
• Patient education is essential, emphasizing adherence to dietary recommendations and addressing malnutrition-related factors.
• Multidisciplinary care involving dietitians, physicians, and social workers may be necessary for comprehensive management.

Synonyms include

• Severe malnutrition
• ICD-10 malnutrition
• Starvation
• Nutritional marasmus
• Kwashiorkor
• Severe caloric deficiency
• Unspecified protein calorie malnutrition
• Retarded development following protein calorie malnutrition