Mild or moderate birth asphyxia

This code represents a condition where a newborn experiences a temporary impairment of gas exchange at birth, leading to hypoxemia and hypercapnia. It indicates a less severe form of birth asphyxia, characterized by Apgar scores between 4 and 7 at one minute, or 4 and 6 at five minutes, along with clinical signs of respiratory distress.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of mild or moderate birth asphyxia in a newborn. This typically involves Apgar scores within the specified range, evidence of meconium aspiration, or other signs of perinatal distress without severe neurological sequelae.

• Do not use this code for severe birth asphyxia; refer to codes for severe forms.
• Ensure documentation specifies "mild" or "moderate" to support this code.
• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis if a more specific condition (e.g., meconium aspiration syndrome) is the primary reason for admission.