Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy

This code represents a severe form of cerebral palsy characterized by significant muscle stiffness and exaggerated reflexes affecting all four limbs (both arms and both legs), as well as the trunk. It results from non-progressive brain damage occurring before, during, or shortly after birth, leading to impaired motor function and often associated with intellectual disability, speech difficulties, and seizures.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. This diagnosis is typically made by a neurologist or developmental pediatrician based on clinical examination, developmental history, and sometimes imaging studies. It applies to patients exhibiting widespread spasticity impacting all extremities.

• Differentiate from other forms of cerebral palsy (e.g., spastic diplegia, hemiplegia, or athetoid types) based on the distribution and type of motor impairment.
• Always code any associated conditions, such as intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, or visual/hearing impairments, as secondary diagnoses.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states "quadriplegic" or "all four limbs affected" in conjunction with "spastic cerebral palsy."