Placentitis, third trimester, not applicable or unspecified

This code signifies inflammation of the placenta occurring during the third trimester of pregnancy. Placentitis can be caused by various infections and may lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. It is a serious condition requiring careful monitoring and management.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states placentitis in a pregnant patient who is in her third trimester, and the laterality or specific type of placentitis is not specified or not applicable. This diagnosis is typically supported by clinical findings such as fever, uterine tenderness, abnormal vaginal discharge, and/or histopathological examination of the placenta.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "third trimester" for accurate code assignment.
• If the specific type of placentitis (e.g., bacterial, viral) is documented, a more specific code from the O41.1- series may be appropriate.
• Always sequence this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it is a co-morbidity affecting the pregnancy.