Acute obstructive laryngitis [croup]

This code represents an acute inflammatory condition of the larynx, primarily affecting young children, characterized by a distinctive "barking" cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor. It results from viral infection causing swelling in the subglottic region, leading to airway obstruction.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of acute obstructive laryngitis, commonly referred to as croup. This diagnosis is typically supported by clinical findings such as the characteristic cough, stridor, and respiratory distress in a pediatric patient.

• Differentiate from other forms of laryngitis (e.g., acute non-obstructive laryngitis) which have distinct codes.
• Ensure documentation specifies "obstructive" to support this code, as opposed to general acute laryngitis.
• Do not use for chronic or spasmodic croup; these have separate classifications.