Cardiac arrest of newborn

This code signifies the sudden cessation of cardiac activity in a neonate, leading to the absence of blood circulation. It represents a life-threatening event where the newborn's heart stops pumping effectively, resulting in a lack of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs.

Assign this code when a newborn experiences a documented cardiac arrest, regardless of the underlying cause. Documentation should clearly state "cardiac arrest" in a neonate, often occurring in the delivery room, NICU, or during the immediate postnatal period.

• Do not use this code for fetal cardiac arrest; refer to codes in Chapter 16 (P00-P96) for conditions originating in the perinatal period.
• Always code the underlying cause of the cardiac arrest, if known, as an additional diagnosis.
• Ensure documentation specifies "newborn" or "neonate" to differentiate from cardiac arrest in older pediatric patients.