Ascorbic acid deficiency

This code represents scurvy, a nutritional disorder resulting from insufficient intake or absorption of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It manifests with symptoms such as fatigue, gum inflammation, petechiae, impaired wound healing, and musculoskeletal pain due to defective collagen synthesis.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states a diagnosis of ascorbic acid deficiency or scurvy. This typically occurs in patients with poor dietary intake, malabsorption syndromes, or increased metabolic demand for vitamin C. Supporting documentation should include clinical signs and symptoms consistent with scurvy, and potentially laboratory confirmation of low ascorbic acid levels.

• Do not confuse with general malnutrition codes unless scurvy is specifically documented.
• Sequence as the primary diagnosis when scurvy is the reason for the encounter.
• Look for documentation of specific symptoms like gingivitis, ecchymoses, or impaired healing that point to scurvy.