Hypothermia of newborn, unspecified

This code signifies a newborn infant experiencing an abnormally low core body temperature, without further specification of the severity or type of hypothermia. It indicates a general diagnosis of hypothermia in a neonate where more specific clinical details are not documented or available.

Use this code when the medical record documents "hypothermia of newborn" without specifying the degree (e.g., mild, moderate, severe) or type (e.g., mild hypothermia of newborn, moderate hypothermia of newborn). This code is appropriate when the physician's diagnosis is simply "newborn hypothermia" or "neonatal hypothermia" without further clinical qualifiers.

• Avoid using this code if the documentation specifies the severity of hypothermia (e.g., mild, moderate, severe); instead, select a more specific P80 subcategory.
• Ensure the documentation clearly indicates the patient is a newborn (0-28 days of age) for appropriate application of this code.
• Sequence this code as a principal diagnosis if it is the primary reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis if it is a co-morbidity.