Secondary syphilitic nephritis

This code represents kidney inflammation or damage that occurs as a complication of secondary syphilis. It indicates a specific manifestation of systemic syphilitic infection affecting the renal system.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of nephritis directly attributed to secondary syphilis. This diagnosis typically follows a positive serological test for syphilis and evidence of kidney involvement, such as proteinuria, hematuria, or renal insufficiency, in the context of secondary stage symptoms.

• Ensure documentation explicitly links the nephritis to secondary syphilis, not just a history of syphilis.
• Do not use this code for congenital syphilis or other stages of acquired syphilis affecting the kidneys.
• Sequence this code after the primary syphilis code (A51.-) if the patient is still being treated for the active infection.