--- title: Hemolytic Disease of Newborn Coding in ICD-10-CM description: Learn how to accurately assign ICD-10-CM codes for hemolytic disease of the newborn, including documentation requirements, Coombs test reporting, and key coding considerations for ABO and Rh incompatibilities. image: https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Hemolytic%20Disease%20of%20Newborn%20Cover%20Photo%20%281%29.png --- # Hemolytic Disease of Newborn Coding in ICD-10-CM ![Cari Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Cari%20Greenwood%20Author%20Bio%20(1).png) [Cari Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC](https://hiacode.com/blog/author/cari-greenwood) Mar 18, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) ![Hemolytic Disease of Newborn Coding in ICD-10-CM](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Hemolytic%20Disease%20of%20Newborn%20Cover%20Photo%20%281%29.png) - Share on: - [![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Facebook%20svg.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hiacode.com/blog/hemolytic-disease-newborn-icd-10-cm-coding) - [![](https://hiacode.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter.png?width=32&height=32&name=twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://hiacode.com/blog/hemolytic-disease-newborn-icd-10-cm-coding) - [![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/LinkedIn%20svg.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hiacode.com/blog/hemolytic-disease-newborn-icd-10-cm-coding) - [![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/mdi_email.svg)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://hiacode.com/blog/hemolytic-disease-newborn-icd-10-cm-coding%20&body=Check%20out%20https://hiacode.com/blog/hemolytic-disease-newborn-icd-10-cm-coding&media=https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Hemolytic%20Disease%20of%20Newborn%20Cover%20Photo%20%281%29.png) - ![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/entypo_link.svg) copied Accurate ICD-10-CM coding for hemolytic disease in newborns can be challenging. Code assignment is dependent on recognizing documentation that clearly establishes the presence of hemolytic disease versus clinical indications of the disease without a definitive confirmatory diagnosis. Understanding the pathophysiology underlying newborn hemolytic disease and the coding direction ICD-10-CM provides related to reporting of this condition and its related symptoms can help coders more adeptly decipher what is being expressed in the health record. Please watch this presentation to learn about ICD-10-CM coding for hemolytic disease of newborn. ## Take Aways - Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells - Isoimmunization occurs when incompatible blood types intermingle - Isoimmunization is the main cause of hemolysis in newborns - Isoimmunization in newborns is mainly caused by ABO and Rh factor blood group incompatibilities - A direct Coombs test identifies maternal/fetal blood group incompatibilities - A positive Coombs test is reported with R79.89 Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry - Codes from category P09 are not appropriate for reporting a positive Coombs test To find additional instruction in ICD-10-CM Coding for newborn conditions, explore the course [Newborn Secondary Diagnosis Coding and Reporting](https://hialearn.com/coding-course/newborn-secondary-diagnosis-coding-and-reporting) on [HIAlearn.com](https://hialearn.com). ## Take the Quiz *For detailed explanations of the quiz answers, please refer to the end of this blog post.* ## About the Series: Coding in the Real World with Cari *Coding in the Real World with Cari* delivers focused, practical education built for how coding actually happens—not just how it’s written in guidelines. Each episode breaks down one coding topic at a time, using clear explanations and real-world scenarios to help coders apply concepts with confidence and accuracy. [![CTA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20824215/interactive-209533381454.png) ](https://hiacode.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKlSRPxwD1MVfRHc9YwLealUkCHC%2FwGg47W2iZ5lkPSKLxSvDTGDjgB9tiBb759nYx8j%2BCFA8nu2xFGL4lFHUkv9w12pil4lv%2BKoyxSw0aABek2pz5CidfGsMrFKt8O7%2FTqe7aT%2BxmFoWaYT9uj1zKqqv3yCxmx9e7zLWuCEA4XrQWvjw62%2FZeeJ3mAoylGr1Abjv5TvMgFxrHNxuIVP7qrr299PYbGzVmAnA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=209533381454&portalId=20824215) Led by [Cari Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC](https://hialearn.com/instructor/cari-greenwood), an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer with more than twenty years of experience in health information management, the series draws on deep expertise across inpatient, outpatient, and professional fee coding and auditing. Cari’s background in education, client support, and curriculum development ensures each session is both technically sound and immediately applicable. From complex diagnoses to nuanced documentation challenges, this series is designed to strengthen decision-making, reinforce compliance, and bridge the gap between guidance and real-world application. | ## Quiz Answers and Rationale Question 1: Isoimmunization is the immune system’s creation of antibodies in response to an incompatibility between the antigens on a mother’s red blood cells and her baby’s red blood cells. Isoimmunization leads to red blood cell destruction (hemolysis), which can in turn lead to jaundice from excess bilirubin released due to red blood cell destruction. Coombs testing is used to identify the presence of antibodies.   Question 2: Code R79.89 Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry is used to report a positive result on a direct Coombs test. A positive test confirms the presence of antibodies on the baby’s red blood cells indicating maternal/fetal incompatibility of some type. Additional clinical factors would be required to make a definitive diagnosis of hemolytic disease of newborn. A Coombs test is not a neonatal screening for a specific diagnosis, so a code from category P09 is not appropriate. | | --- |   --- Since 1992, HIA has been the leading provider of [compliance audits](https://hiacode.com/acute-review), [coding support services](https://hiacode.com/acute-coding-support) and [clinical documentation audit services ](https://hiacode.com/clinical-documentation-integrity)for [hospitals](https://hiacode.com/hospitals), [ambulatory surgery centers](https://hiacode.com/asc-coding), [physician groups](https://hiacode.com/provider-groups) and other healthcare entities. 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