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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesBirth traumaICD-10-CM p12-birth-injury-to-scalp
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Birth Injury To Scalp: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group P12 includes diagnoses of neonatal scalp injuries sustained during delivery such as cephalohematoma, subgaleal hemorrhage, and other traumatic scalp soft tissue injuries. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document newborns with scalp trauma, capturing the type and severity of bleeding or soft tissue damage and any associated clinical complications. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM P12 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM P12: Birth Injury To Scalp Overview

    The ICD-10-CM P12 group represents traumatic injuries to the neonatal scalp occurring during birth, including cephalohematoma, subgaleal hemorrhage, and related soft tissue injuries. These conditions affect the integumentary and vascular structures of the head and can have implications for neonatal monitoring and management. Accurate coding ensures clinical severity and related resource use are properly documented for reimbursement.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a newborn has documented scalp trauma related to the birth process, such as visible hematoma, scalp swelling, or diagnosed subgaleal bleeding. Select the specific code that reflects the type of scalp injury and any documented complications or associated conditions.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    8 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    P12.0Cephalhematoma due to birth injury
    P12.1Chignon (from vacuum extraction) due to birth injury
    P12.2Epicranial subaponeurotic hemorrhage due to birth injury
    P12.3Bruising of scalp due to birth injury
    P12.4Injury of scalp of newborn due to monitoring equipment
    P12.81Caput succedaneum
    P12.89Other birth injuries to scalp
    P12.9Birth injury to scalp, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems
    795Normal Newborn

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A term neonate born after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery presents with a localized, fluctuant swelling on the scalp noted immediately after birth; the swelling is soft, crosses suture lines, and increases with crying. The delivery involved prolonged second stage with vacuum extraction, and the infant is otherwise well but under observation for resorption of the lesion; coding is assigned for a scalp birth injury such as cephalohematoma or scalp laceration related to delivery. Typical codes: P12.0, P12.3
    • A preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit develops a tense, tender scalp hematoma after forceps-assisted delivery that is associated with anemia and requires serial monitoring and possible transfusion; the clinical team documents birth-related scalp trauma as part of the newborn’s problem list. Because the condition arose during delivery and contributes to the newborn’s immediate morbidity, an acute birth scalp injury code from this group is used. Typical codes: P12.1, P12.2
    • A newborn evaluated for persistent scalp lesion weeks after birth has an area of necrosis and delayed healing over the vertex after traumatic delivery with signs of local infection and skin breakdown; the infant is seen for follow-up and wound care separate from the delivery encounter. The ongoing sequela or complication of the birth scalp injury and any associated infected or necrotic area are coded from this category to capture the complication and need for continued treatment. Typical codes: P12.4, P12.89

    Related Codes

    P10-INTRACRANIAL-LACERATION-AND-HEMORRHAGE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Intracranial Laceration And Hemorrhage Due To Birth Injury: Group Overview

    P11-OTHER-BIRTH-INJURIES-TO-CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Birth Injuries To Central Nervous System: Group Overview

    P13-BIRTH-INJURY-TO-SKELETON

    ICD-10-CM Code For Birth Injury To Skeleton: Group Overview

    P15-OTHER-BIRTH-INJURIES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Birth Injuries: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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