Malnutrition in pregnancy, third trimester

This code signifies a state of inadequate nutritional intake or absorption occurring during the final three months of gestation. It indicates that the pregnant patient is experiencing a deficiency in essential nutrients, which can negatively impact both maternal health and fetal development.

This code is appropriate when a pregnant patient in her third trimester is diagnosed with malnutrition, evidenced by clinical signs, symptoms, or laboratory findings. Documentation should clearly state the diagnosis of malnutrition and specify the trimester.

• Always sequence this code after the primary obstetric code (e.g., O09.- for supervision of high-risk pregnancy).
• Do not use this code if the malnutrition is due to hyperemesis gravidarum; instead, use codes from category O21.
• Consider additional codes to specify the type of malnutrition (e.g., E40-E46 for protein-calorie malnutrition) if documented.