Congenital pneumonia

This code signifies an inflammatory condition of the lung parenchyma present at birth or developing within the first 28 days of life, acquired either prenatally (e.g., via aspiration of infected amniotic fluid) or perinatally (e.g., during passage through the birth canal). It often results from bacterial or viral infections transmitted from the mother.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates pneumonia diagnosed in a neonate, explicitly stating it is congenital or acquired around the time of birth. Supporting documentation includes physician notes detailing the onset of respiratory distress, radiographic findings consistent with pneumonia, and laboratory results confirming an infectious etiology in a newborn.

• Differentiate from aspiration pneumonia occurring after the neonatal period.
• Ensure documentation specifies "congenital" or "neonatal onset" to justify this code.
• Sequence this code as the principal diagnosis when it is the primary reason for admission.