Fetal death from asphyxia or anoxia before onset of labor or at unspecified time

This code signifies the intrauterine demise of a fetus due to a lack of oxygen (asphyxia or anoxia) that occurred prior to the initiation of labor contractions or at an indeterminate time. It indicates a stillbirth event where the primary cause of death was oxygen deprivation.

This code is appropriate for cases of fetal death where the medical record clearly documents asphyxia or anoxia as the cause, and the event occurred either before labor began or the exact timing relative to labor onset is unknown. Documentation should specify the cause of death as oxygen deprivation and the timing of the demise.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states asphyxia or anoxia as the cause of fetal death.
• Distinguish from fetal death occurring during labor, which would require a different code.
• This code is for the fetus; maternal complications related to the fetal death would be coded separately.