P56: Hydrops fetalis due to hemolytic disease

P56 refers to Hydrops fetalis due to hemolytic disease, documenting neonatal blood-related complications such as hemorrhage, jaundice, hemolysis, and clotting disorders that often require urgent NICU interventions.

Symptoms

• Severe anemia – Common in intrauterine blood loss (P50)
• Umbilical bleeding – Suggestive of clotting or trauma issues (P51)
• Seizures or altered consciousness – Signs of intracranial hemorrhage (P52)
• Jaundice – Seen in hemolytic disease and kernicterus (P55, P57)
• Edema and fluid accumulation – Features of hydrops fetalis (P56)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Hydrops fetalis due to hemolytic disease involves complete blood counts (CBC), coagulation profiles, bilirubin levels, cranial ultrasound or MRI for brain hemorrhages, umbilical cultures if infection suspected, and direct Coombs test for hemolytic disease evaluation.

ICD10 Code Usage

ICD10 code P56 is essential for neonatologists, pediatricians, and hematologists to accurately document neonatal bleeding disorders, hemolytic diseases, and related conditions affecting blood composition during the perinatal period.

Related Codes

• P50 – Newborn affected by intrauterine (fetal) blood loss
• P51 – Umbilical hemorrhage of newborn
• P52 – Intracranial nontraumatic hemorrhage of newborn
• P53 – Hemorrhagic disease of newborn
• P54 – Other neonatal hemorrhages
• P55 – Hemolytic disease of newborn
• P57 – Kernicterus
• P58 – Neonatal jaundice due to other excessive hemolysis
• P59 – Neonatal jaundice from other and unspecified causes
• P60 – Disseminated intravascular coagulation of newborn
• P61 – Other perinatal hematological disorders

FAQs

Q1: What is ICD10 code P56?
A: It refers to Hydrops fetalis due to hemolytic disease, highlighting neonatal conditions involving bleeding, hemolysis, jaundice, or clotting abnormalities detected after birth.

Q2: How dangerous is kernicterus (P57)?
A: Kernicterus is a medical emergency where high bilirubin levels cause permanent brain damage if untreated.

Q3: What causes hemolytic disease of the newborn (P55)?
A: It often results from blood group incompatibility between mother and fetus (e.g., Rh incompatibility).

Q4: How is neonatal jaundice treated?
A: Treatment includes phototherapy, exchange transfusion, and treating underlying hemolysis if present.

Q5: What is DIC in newborns (P60)?
A: Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a critical condition where widespread clotting depletes clotting factors, causing uncontrolled bleeding.

Conclusion

ICD10 code P56 enables healthcare teams to systematically capture and manage Hydrops fetalis due to hemolytic disease, supporting prompt treatment of blood-related complications in the vulnerable neonatal population.