Wide cranial sutures of newborn

This code signifies an abnormal widening of the fibrous joints (sutures) between the cranial bones in a newborn infant. This condition indicates that the skull bones have not fused or are not in close apposition as expected at birth.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states "wide cranial sutures" or "sutures widely patent" in a newborn. This finding is typically identified during a physical examination or imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound, X-ray) of the neonatal head.

• Do not use this code for craniosynostosis, which involves premature fusion of sutures.
• Always review the medical record for any underlying conditions causing wide sutures, such as hydrocephalus or skeletal dysplasias, and code those primary diagnoses first.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "newborn" to differentiate from similar conditions in older infants or children.