Absence or hypoplasia of umbilical artery

This diagnosis code signifies a congenital anomaly characterized by the complete absence or underdevelopment of one or more umbilical arteries. Normally, two umbilical arteries are present in the umbilical cord, carrying deoxygenated blood and waste products from the fetus to the placenta. This condition can be an isolated finding or associated with other fetal abnormalities.

This code is appropriate when documentation confirms the absence or hypoplasia of an umbilical artery, typically identified during prenatal ultrasound examinations (e.g., fetal anomaly scan) or postnatally upon examination of the umbilical cord. Documentation should explicitly state "single umbilical artery," "absent umbilical artery," or "hypoplastic umbilical artery."

• Ensure documentation specifies "artery" and not "vein," as anomalies of the umbilical vein are coded differently.
• Always review the medical record for any associated congenital anomalies, as these may require additional coding.
• This code is often a secondary diagnosis, as the primary reason for the encounter may be related to the associated anomalies or monitoring of the pregnancy.