Congenital stenosis and stricture of esophagus

This code signifies a congenital narrowing or obstruction of the esophagus, present at birth. This anomaly can impede the passage of food and liquids, leading to feeding difficulties, regurgitation, and failure to thrive in infants.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of congenital esophageal stenosis or stricture. This includes cases identified prenatally, at birth, or in early infancy due to symptoms such as dysphagia, choking, or recurrent aspiration. Supporting documentation should specify the congenital nature of the esophageal narrowing.

• Differentiate from acquired esophageal strictures (e.g., due to reflux, trauma, or caustic ingestion), which are coded elsewhere.
• Do not use for esophageal atresia (Q39.0) or tracheoesophageal fistula (Q39.1), which are distinct congenital anomalies.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, such as for diagnostic workup or surgical repair.