Viral hepatitis complicating the puerperium

This code signifies the presence of viral hepatitis (e.g., Hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E) occurring during the puerperium, which is the period immediately following childbirth. It indicates that the viral hepatitis is a complication directly related to the postpartum state.

Apply this code when a patient is diagnosed with any form of viral hepatitis during the six-week postpartum period. Documentation should clearly state the type of viral hepatitis and its onset or diagnosis within the puerperal timeframe, confirming it as a complication of the recent delivery.

• Always identify the specific type of viral hepatitis with an additional code (e.g., B15-B19) to provide maximum specificity.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly links the viral hepatitis to the puerperal period; simply having both conditions present is insufficient.
• This code is a secondary diagnosis, following the primary obstetric code if the encounter is for a postpartum complication.