Congenital tracheomalacia

This code identifies a congenital weakness or floppiness of the tracheal walls, leading to partial collapse of the airway, particularly during exhalation. This structural anomaly is present at birth and can cause respiratory symptoms ranging from mild stridor to severe respiratory distress.

Use this code for patients diagnosed with tracheomalacia that is explicitly documented as congenital in origin. Documentation should clearly indicate the presence of a weakened trachea from birth, often presenting with characteristic respiratory sounds or difficulty breathing in infancy.

• Differentiate from acquired tracheomalacia, which would be coded differently.
• Always review physician documentation to confirm the congenital nature of the condition.
• Consider co-occurring congenital anomalies, as tracheomalacia can be associated with other birth defects.