Primary atelectasis of newborn

This code signifies the incomplete expansion or collapse of lung tissue in a newborn, occurring as a primary condition rather than secondary to another underlying cause. It indicates that the newborn's lungs failed to fully inflate at birth or soon thereafter, without an identifiable external factor or pre-existing disease contributing to the atelectasis.

Apply this code for newborns diagnosed with atelectasis where no other specific cause (e.g., meconium aspiration, pneumonia, congenital anomaly) is identified. Documentation should clearly state "primary atelectasis," "congenital atelectasis," or describe atelectasis without an attributable secondary cause in a neonate.

• Do not use this code if the atelectasis is secondary to another condition; instead, code the underlying cause.
• Distinguish from acquired atelectasis, which would typically be coded with a different ICD-10-CM code.
• Ensure documentation specifies "newborn" or "neonatal" to support the use of a P-code.