Post-term newborn

This code identifies a newborn infant delivered at or beyond 42 completed weeks of gestation. These infants may exhibit characteristics such as dry, peeling skin, long nails, and a meconium-stained appearance, indicating prolonged intrauterine development.

Assign this code for any newborn diagnosed as post-term by the attending physician. Documentation must clearly state the gestational age at birth as 42 weeks or greater, or explicitly use the term "post-term." This diagnosis is typically made based on the last menstrual period (LMP) or early ultrasound dating.

• Do not confuse with "late term" (41 weeks gestation), which has a separate code.
• Always sequence this code after the Z38.- code for liveborn infant.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly documents "post-term" or a gestational age of 42 weeks or more.