Birth injury to femur

This code signifies a fracture of the femur sustained by a neonate during the birth process. This injury is typically a result of mechanical forces applied during delivery, such as traction or compression. It represents a traumatic bone injury occurring peripartum.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a femoral fracture in a newborn directly attributed to the birthing event. This includes fractures identified immediately post-delivery or shortly thereafter, with the etiology explicitly linked to the birth. Supporting documentation would include delivery notes, neonatal assessment records, and imaging reports confirming the fracture and its birth-related origin.

• Always confirm the injury is a fracture of the femur, not another type of birth injury or a congenital anomaly.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly links the injury to the birth process; otherwise, a general neonatal fracture code might be more appropriate.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the main reason for the encounter, followed by codes for any associated complications or treatment.