ICD-10-CM Code For Omphalitis Of Newborn: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group P38 includes diagnoses for infection of the umbilical stump and surrounding tissues in the newborn, including localized omphalitis and cases with extension or systemic involvement. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document neonatal umbilical infections, capturing disease severity, local tissue involvement, and any complications relevant to the perinatal period. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM P38 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM P38: Omphalitis Of Newborn Overview

The ICD-10-CM P38 group represents neonatal omphalitis, an infection of the umbilical stump in newborns that can involve surrounding soft tissue and occasionally extend to the abdominal wall. These diagnoses target the neonatal period and infections specific to the perinatal period. Accurate coding is important for complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement because severity and complications affect claim adjudication.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a newborn is diagnosed with omphalitis of the umbilical stump or when infection extends beyond the stump into surrounding tissues or causes systemic illness. These codes apply during the perinatal period to reflect the specific site, severity, and any complications of the neonatal umbilical infection.

ICD-10-CM Codes

2 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
P38.1	Omphalitis with mild hemorrhage
P38.9	Omphalitis without hemorrhage

DRG Codes

2 rows

DRG Code	Description
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A term neonate aged 3 days presents to the newborn nursery with periumbilical redness, purulent drainage from the umbilical stump, fever of 38.5°C, and irritability. Physical exam reveals surrounding cellulitis and a tender, erythematous umbilical base; blood cultures are obtained and empiric antibiotics started for suspected omphalitis. Typical codes: P38.1
A preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit develops subtle signs of systemic infection on day 5 of life, including temperature instability, apnea, and feeding intolerance; the umbilical stump appears inflamed with minimal discharge. Because the umbilical infection is identified as the likely source of the systemic signs in the perinatal period, an infection-specific perinatal diagnosis is assigned. Typical codes: P38.1
A newborn admitted for evaluation of multiple congenital anomalies is noted on routine exam to have mild erythema around the umbilical stump without purulence or systemic symptoms; the clinician documents an umbilical infection not otherwise specified. In the absence of documented systemic involvement or organism-specific detail, a nonspecific perinatal omphalitis code is used. Typical codes: P38.9

Related Codes

P35-CONGENITAL-VIRAL-DISEASES

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Viral Diseases: Group Overview

P36-BACTERIAL-SEPSIS-OF-NEWBORN

ICD-10-CM Code For Bacterial Sepsis Of Newborn: Group Overview

P37-OTHER-CONGENITAL-INFECTIONS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Infectious And Parasitic Diseases: Group Overview

P39-OTHER-INFECTIONS-PERINATAL

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Infections Specific To The Perinatal Period: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

2 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
P38.1	Omphalitis with mild hemorrhage
P38.9	Omphalitis without hemorrhage

DRG Codes

2 rows

DRG Code	Description
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A term neonate aged 3 days presents to the newborn nursery with periumbilical redness, purulent drainage from the umbilical stump, fever of 38.5°C, and irritability. Physical exam reveals surrounding cellulitis and a tender, erythematous umbilical base; blood cultures are obtained and empiric antibiotics started for suspected omphalitis. Typical codes: P38.1
A preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit develops subtle signs of systemic infection on day 5 of life, including temperature instability, apnea, and feeding intolerance; the umbilical stump appears inflamed with minimal discharge. Because the umbilical infection is identified as the likely source of the systemic signs in the perinatal period, an infection-specific perinatal diagnosis is assigned. Typical codes: P38.1
A newborn admitted for evaluation of multiple congenital anomalies is noted on routine exam to have mild erythema around the umbilical stump without purulence or systemic symptoms; the clinician documents an umbilical infection not otherwise specified. In the absence of documented systemic involvement or organism-specific detail, a nonspecific perinatal omphalitis code is used. Typical codes: P38.9

Related Codes

P35-CONGENITAL-VIRAL-DISEASES

ICD-10-CM Code For Congenital Viral Diseases: Group Overview

P36-BACTERIAL-SEPSIS-OF-NEWBORN

ICD-10-CM Code For Bacterial Sepsis Of Newborn: Group Overview

P37-OTHER-CONGENITAL-INFECTIONS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Congenital Infectious And Parasitic Diseases: Group Overview

P39-OTHER-INFECTIONS-PERINATAL

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Infections Specific To The Perinatal Period: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Omphalitis Of Newborn: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM P38: Omphalitis Of Newborn Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Omphalitis Of Newborn: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Omphalitis Of Newborn: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM P38: Omphalitis Of Newborn Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What clinical conditions are included in ICD-10-CM P38 group?

Which specific ICD-10-CM codes are in the P38 group and what do they denote?

Why is accurate coding within the P38 group important for billing and reimbursement?

Which DRGs are related to the P38 code group for case grouping purposes?

Does the P38 group apply outside the neonatal or perinatal period?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What clinical conditions are included in ICD-10-CM P38 group?

Which specific ICD-10-CM codes are in the P38 group and what do they denote?

Why is accurate coding within the P38 group important for billing and reimbursement?

Which DRGs are related to the P38 code group for case grouping purposes?

Does the P38 group apply outside the neonatal or perinatal period?

References