Unspecified child maltreatment, suspected, sequela

This code signifies a suspected case of child maltreatment where the specific type of abuse or neglect (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional) has not yet been determined or documented. It is used when there is a strong clinical suspicion of maltreatment, and the long-term effects or complications of this suspected maltreatment are being addressed.

Apply this code when a patient presents with sequelae (late effects) that are clinically linked to suspected, but unconfirmed, child maltreatment. This would include situations where a child or adult patient is being treated for psychological, developmental, or physical issues that are believed to stem from past, unspecified child abuse or neglect.

• This code is for suspected cases only; do not use if a specific type of child maltreatment has been confirmed.
• The "S" in the seventh character indicates sequela, meaning it's for conditions that are residual effects of the suspected maltreatment.
• Always sequence this code after the code(s) for the specific sequela being treated.