Sickle-cell/Hb-C disease with dactylitis

This code signifies a specific type of sickle cell disease, characterized by the co-inheritance of hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C, complicated by dactylitis. Dactylitis, often referred to as "hand-foot syndrome," is an acute, painful swelling of the hands and/or feet, particularly common in infants and young children with sickle cell disease. It results from vaso-occlusion in the small bones of the extremities.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of sickle cell-hemoglobin C (Hb-C) disease and the patient is experiencing dactylitis. This code is appropriate for both initial and subsequent encounters where dactylitis is present and attributable to the underlying sickle cell-Hb-C disease. Supporting documentation should include physician notes detailing the diagnosis of sickle cell-Hb-C and the clinical presentation of dactylitis.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "Hb-C" or "hemoglobin C" in conjunction with sickle cell disease, not just general sickle cell anemia.
• Verify that dactylitis is specifically noted as a current complication; do not code for historical dactylitis unless it is an active problem.
• Do not confuse with other sickle cell crises (e.g., painful crisis without dactylitis, splenic sequestration crisis) which have distinct codes.