Accurately Reporting Newborn with Complications

The perinatal period is defined as before birth through the 28^th day following birth. Coders should utilize chapter 16 ICD-10-CM coding guidelines when coding newborn records. When coding the birth episode in a newborn record, a code from category Z38, liveborn infants should be assigned as the principal diagnosis. Coding guidelines also instruct coders to code all clinically significant conditions noted on routine newborn examinations. A condition is clinically significant if it requires clinical evaluation, therapeutic treatment, diagnostic procedures, extended length of hospital stay, increased nursing care, or implications for future health care needs.