Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: We have a new patient in our office whose mother took DES while pregnant. What is the correct diagnosis code for DES syndrome?

Arkansas Subscriber

Answer: The first question to verify is whether you're coding DES syndrome because the maternal condition physically affected your patient, or whether you're simply coding DES exposure.

If DES affects your patient, report 760.76 (Noxious influences affecting fetus or newborn via placenta or breast milk, diethylstilbestrol [DES]). Although the diagnosis falls under the section of Chapter 15, Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period, related to Maternal Causes of Perinatal Morbidity, coding guidelines state, "Chapter 15 codes may be used throughout the life of the patient if the condition is still present." That clarification means you can report 760.76 beyond infancy.

If you're documenting DES exposure, you'll look elsewhere for the diagnosis. The correct code is V15.89 (Other specified personal history presenting hazards to health; other).