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P70.4
ICD-10-CM
Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Find comprehensive information on neonatal hypoglycemia diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding (ICD-10 P70.2), and healthcare guidelines. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and management of low blood sugar in newborns for optimal patient care. Explore resources for accurate neonatal hypoglycemia documentation and coding best practices.

Also known as

Low blood sugar in newborns
Newborn hypoglycemia

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Low blood sugar in newborns (typically <40 mg/dL)
  • Clinical Signs : Jitteriness, tremors, lethargy, poor feeding, seizures
  • Common Settings : Infants of diabetic mothers, premature infants, small or large for gestational age infants

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC P70.4 Coding
P70-P74

Disorders of newborn related to short gestation and low birth weight, not elsewhere classified

Includes transient neonatal hypoglycemia, often associated with prematurity or low birth weight.

E16-E16.9

Drug-induced diabetes mellitus

Maternal drug-induced diabetes can cause neonatal hypoglycemia.

O24-O24.9

Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium

Maternal diabetes, including gestational diabetes, increases the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia.

P00-P04

Newborn affected by maternal factors and by complications of pregnancy, labor and delivery

Other maternal or birth complications may contribute to neonatal hypoglycemia.

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Neonatal low blood sugar
Transient Neonatal Hypoglycemia
Persistent Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia of Infancy

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Neonatal hypoglycemia diagnosis: document BG <40 mg/dL (term) or <45 mg/dL (preterm)
  • Document symptoms: jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding, apnea, seizures
  • Specify timing and method of BG measurement (heel stick, venous)
  • Risk factors: SGA, LGA, maternal diabetes, perinatal asphyxia
  • Treatment: feeding, IV dextrose, monitor BG, document response

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Hypoglycemia

    Coding P70.0 without supporting documentation specifying transient versus persistent neonatal hypoglycemia leads to inaccurate severity capture and reimbursement.

  • Maternal Diabetes Omission

    Failing to code maternal diabetes (O24.-) when present with neonatal hypoglycemia (P70.-) impacts risk adjustment and quality reporting.

  • Asymptomatic vs Symptomatic

    Incorrectly coding asymptomatic hypoglycemia as symptomatic can lead to overcoding, impacting data integrity for quality measures and research.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Early feedings: Initiate within 1 hour of birth.
  • Monitor at-risk infants: SGA, LGA, IDM.
  • Confirm diagnosis: Use plasma glucose, not capillary.
  • Document thoroughly: Timing, method, intervention.
  • Treat promptly: IV dextrose for persistent hypoglycemia.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Confirm plasma glucose <40 mg/dL (term) or <30 mg/dL (preterm)
  • 2. Review maternal diabetes history, birth weight, and gestational age
  • 3. Assess for symptoms: jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding
  • 4. Document hypoglycemia diagnosis (ICD-10: P70.0, P70.1), interventions, and response
  • 5. Monitor glucose levels per protocol and reassess frequently

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Neonatal Hypoglycemia reimbursement hinges on accurate coding (P70.0-P70.4, depending on type) and timely documentation for optimal DRG assignment.
  • Quality metrics impacted: Average Length of Stay (ALOS), readmission rates for newborns with hypoglycemia, and incidence of complications.
  • Coding accuracy crucial: Avoid unspecified codes, impacting case mix index (CMI) and potential denials. Document all interventions.
  • Hospital reporting: Track hypoglycemia incidence, treatment protocols, and outcomes to improve neonatal care and optimize resource allocation.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code P70.1 for transient neonatal hypoglycemia
  • Document timing, symptoms, and treatment
  • Query physician for etiology if unclear
  • Check for maternal diabetes coding (O24)
  • Consider secondary codes for seizures (R56.x)

Documentation Templates

Neonatal hypoglycemia, confirmed by a plasma glucose level below the established threshold (typically <40-45 mg/dL in the first 24 hours and <50 mg/dL thereafter), was diagnosed in this neonate.  Risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia identified in this patient include [Specify risk factor(s) e.g., maternal diabetes, prematurity, small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), perinatal stress, or other relevant factors].  Presenting symptoms included [Specify symptoms if present e.g., jitteriness, tremors, hypotonia, lethargy, poor feeding, apnea, cyanosis, seizures, or irritability].  Initial plasma glucose measurement was [Insert value and time] mg/dL.  Treatment was initiated with [Specify treatment method e.g., breastfeeding, formula feeding, intravenous dextrose infusion] and the glucose levels were monitored closely.  Subsequent glucose levels were [Insert follow-up values and times] mg/dL.  The infant's response to treatment was [Describe response e.g., good, poor, requiring escalation of treatment].  The plan of care includes continued monitoring of blood glucose levels per protocol, [Specify frequency and duration] along with ongoing assessment for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.  Differential diagnoses considered included [Specify if applicable e.g., inborn errors of metabolism, sepsis].  Further investigations if required may include [Specify e.g., serum insulin levels, cortisol levels, growth hormone levels, metabolic screening].  Parent education was provided regarding the importance of recognizing and managing neonatal hypoglycemia.  The neonate's condition is currently stable, and the prognosis is [Insert current prognosis e.g., good, guarded] with ongoing monitoring and appropriate management.  This case of neonatal hypoglycemia was managed according to established clinical guidelines and best practices.
Neonatal Hypoglycemia - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation