Which ICD-10-CM code describes hydrocephalus in the second fetus of a twin pregnancy?

Which ICD-10-CM code describes hydrocephalus in the second fetus of a twin pregnancy?

• A. O33.6XX1
• B. O33.6XX2
• C. O33.7XX2
• D. O33.0XX0

Answer: (B)

In multifetal pregnancies, coding the fetus-specific condition uses a base code that describes the fetal problem within the context of a multiple gestation, and then you add a seventh character to indicate which fetus is affected. Hydrocephalus in a fetus of a twin pregnancy is captured by the base code for hydrocephalus in a fetus in a multiple gestation, which is O33.6XX. The seventh character shows the fetus number, with 2 meaning the second fetus. Therefore, the correct code is O33.6XX2, because it properly identifies hydrocephalus in the second fetus of a twin pregnancy. The other endings either point to the first fetus (ending in 1), reference a different fetal problem in the second fetus, or indicate an unspecified fetus; they don’t correctly convey hydrocephalus in the second fetus of a twin pregnancy.

In multifetal pregnancies, coding the fetus-specific condition uses a base code that describes the fetal problem within the context of a multiple gestation, and then you add a seventh character to indicate which fetus is affected. Hydrocephalus in a fetus of a twin pregnancy is captured by the base code for hydrocephalus in a fetus in a multiple gestation, which is O33.6XX. The seventh character shows the fetus number, with 2 meaning the second fetus. Therefore, the correct code is O33.6XX2, because it properly identifies hydrocephalus in the second fetus of a twin pregnancy.

The other endings either point to the first fetus (ending in 1), reference a different fetal problem in the second fetus, or indicate an unspecified fetus; they don’t correctly convey hydrocephalus in the second fetus of a twin pregnancy.