Neonatal bradycardia

This code represents an abnormally slow heart rate in a newborn infant. Neonatal bradycardia is typically defined as a heart rate persistently below 100 beats per minute (bpm) in a term infant, or below 80 bpm in a premature infant, and can indicate underlying cardiac or systemic issues.

Use this code for documented cases of a neonate exhibiting a heart rate consistently below the age-appropriate threshold. This diagnosis is often made based on continuous cardiac monitoring, physical examination findings, and confirmed by an attending physician. Documentation should clearly state "bradycardia" and specify the neonatal period.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "neonatal" bradycardia to differentiate from bradycardia in older pediatric patients.
• Investigate and code any underlying causes of the bradycardia, such as hypothermia, hypoxia, or sepsis, as primary diagnoses if applicable.
• Do not confuse with transient drops in heart rate that are not sustained or clinically significant.