Other dietary vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

This code signifies anemia resulting from insufficient intake or absorption of vitamin B12 through dietary sources, excluding pernicious anemia. It indicates a nutritional deficiency leading to megaloblastic anemia, characterized by abnormally large, immature red blood cells.

Apply this code when documentation specifies vitamin B12 deficiency anemia due to inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption not attributed to intrinsic factor deficiency, or other non-pernicious dietary causes. Supporting documentation should include laboratory findings confirming low B12 levels and evidence of anemia, along with a clear etiology linking it to diet or non-pernicious malabsorption.

• Differentiate from D51.0 (Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia due to intrinsic factor deficiency) and D51.1 (Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia due to selective vitamin B12 malabsorption with proteinuria).
• Ensure the documentation explicitly rules out pernicious anemia to use this code.
• Code any associated nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption syndromes separately if documented.