Withdrawal symptoms from therapeutic use of drugs in newborn

This code identifies a newborn experiencing adverse effects of drug withdrawal due to the mother's therapeutic use of medications during pregnancy. These symptoms are a direct result of the infant's physiological adaptation to the absence of a substance to which they were exposed in utero, not due to the mother's illicit drug use.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates the newborn is exhibiting withdrawal symptoms (e.g., tremors, irritability, poor feeding, seizures) and the mother was prescribed and taking therapeutic medications (e.g., opioids for pain management, antidepressants) during pregnancy. The physician must explicitly link the newborn's symptoms to the mother's therapeutic drug use.

• Distinguish from withdrawal due to maternal illicit drug use (P04.49).
• Always sequence as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the newborn's specific withdrawal symptoms.
• Ensure documentation specifies "therapeutic use" to support this code over codes for maternal substance abuse.