2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A50Congenital syphilis

ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A50-A64›A50

ICD-10-CM A50
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

A50 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for congenital syphilis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as A50.01, A50.02, A50.03, and A50.04.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
A50
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Congenital syphilis
Short Description
Congenital syphilis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
A50-A64
Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission

Code Classification

ChapterA00–B99Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
SectionA50-A64Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission
CategoryA50Congenital syphilis
This CodeA50Congenital syphilis

Specific Coding for Congenital syphilisOverview

Non-specific codes like A50 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • A50.0 for Early congenital syphilis, symptomatic

  • Use A50.01 for Early congenital syphilitic oculopathy

  • Use A50.02 for Early congenital syphilitic osteochondropathy

  • Use A50.03 for Early congenital syphilitic pharyngitis

  • Use A50.04 for Early congenital syphilitic pneumonia

  • Use A50.05 for Early congenital syphilitic rhinitis

  • Use A50.06 for Early cutaneous congenital syphilis

  • Use A50.07 for Early mucocutaneous congenital syphilis

  • Use A50.08 for Early visceral congenital syphilis

  • Use A50.09 for Other early congenital syphilis, symptomatic

  • Use A50.1 for Early congenital syphilis, latent

  • Use A50.2 for Early congenital syphilis, unspecified

  • A50.3 for Late congenital syphilitic oculopathy

  • Use A50.30 for Late congenital syphilitic oculopathy, unspecified

  • Use A50.31 for Late congenital syphilitic interstitial keratitis

  • Use A50.32 for Late congenital syphilitic chorioretinitis

  • Use A50.39 for Other late congenital syphilitic oculopathy

  • A50.4 for Late congenital neurosyphilis [juvenile neurosyphilis]

  • Use A50.40 for Late congenital neurosyphilis, unspecified

  • Use A50.41 for Late congenital syphilitic meningitis

  • Use A50.42 for Late congenital syphilitic encephalitis

  • Use A50.43 for Late congenital syphilitic polyneuropathy

  • Use A50.44 for Late congenital syphilitic optic nerve atrophy

  • Use A50.45 for Juvenile general paresis

  • Use A50.49 for Other late congenital neurosyphilis

  • A50.5 for Other late congenital syphilis, symptomatic

  • Use A50.51 for Clutton's joints

  • Use A50.52 for Hutchinson's teeth

  • Use A50.53 for Hutchinson's triad

  • Use A50.54 for Late congenital cardiovascular syphilis

  • Use A50.55 for Late congenital syphilitic arthropathy

  • Use A50.56 for Late congenital syphilitic osteochondropathy

  • Use A50.57 for Syphilitic saddle nose

  • Use A50.59 for Other late congenital syphilis, symptomatic

  • Use A50.6 for Late congenital syphilis, latent

  • Use A50.7 for Late congenital syphilis, unspecified

  • Use A50.9 for Congenital syphilis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to A50: its own notes plus those printed at block A50-A64 and Chapter 1. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissible

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block A50-A64 Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission applies to 142 codes
  • nonspecific and nongonococcal urethritis (N34.1)
  • Reiter's disease (M02.3-)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block A50-A64 Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission applies to 142 codes
  • human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease (B20)
From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)
  • certain localized infections - see body system-related chapters
  • infectious and parasitic diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O98.-)
  • infectious and parasitic diseases specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)
  • influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases applies to 1,068 codes
  • code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name A50, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention A50.

  • O98.1 Syphilis complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    Conditions in A50-A53

Excludes2 3

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming A50: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and A50 is one of the conditions named.

  • J99 Respiratory disorders in diseases classified elsewhere
    congenital syphilis (A50.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Syphilis, Congenital

    syphilis acquired in utero and manifested by any of several characteristic tooth (hutchinson's teeth) or bone malformations and by active mucocutaneous syphilis at birth or shortly thereafter. ocular and neurologic changes may also occur.

Patient EducationClinical

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It infects the genital area, lips, mouth, or anus of both men and women. You usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it. It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About A50Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for congenital syphilis?

A50 is the ICD-10-CM category for congenital syphilis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is A50 (Congenital syphilis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for congenital syphilis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for congenital syphilis need a more specific code from this category, such as A50.01, A50.02, and A50.03.

Can A50 be reported with N34.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block A50-A64, which applies to A50, lists "nonspecific and nongonococcal urethritis (N34.1)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).