Grey baby syndrome

This code represents Grey baby syndrome, a rare and serious adverse drug reaction primarily affecting neonates, characterized by a distinctive ashen-grey skin discoloration, cardiovascular collapse, abdominal distension, and respiratory distress. It is typically caused by excessive accumulation of chloramphenicol, an antibiotic, due to immature hepatic and renal function in infants.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of Grey baby syndrome in an infant. This diagnosis is typically supported by a history of chloramphenicol administration, characteristic clinical signs, and laboratory findings consistent with chloramphenicol toxicity.

• Always link this diagnosis to an adverse effect code for chloramphenicol (T36.3X5-).
• Ensure documentation specifies the drug causing the reaction; if not chloramphenicol, this code is inappropriate.
• Consider additional codes for specific manifestations, such as cardiac failure (I50.-) or respiratory distress (P22.-).