Congenital pneumonia due to viral agent

This code signifies pneumonia present at birth or developing within the first 28 days of life, specifically caused by a viral pathogen. It indicates an infection of the lungs acquired prenatally, perinatally, or postnatally in a neonate, with a confirmed viral etiology.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a newborn or infant (up to 28 days old) has pneumonia and identifies a viral agent as the causative factor. This typically applies to cases where viral cultures, PCR tests, or serology confirm a viral infection in the context of neonatal pneumonia.

• Ensure the documentation specifies a viral cause; otherwise, an unspecified congenital pneumonia code may be more appropriate.
• Distinguish from aspiration pneumonia in newborns, which has a different etiology and code.
• Remember the Excludes1 note: never code with congenital rubella pneumonitis (P35.0).