1. Home
  2. ICD-10-CM Codes
  3. E00–E89
  4. E50-E64
  5. E50
  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code E50
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E50

Vitamin A deficiency

ICD-10-CM Code:
E50
ICD-10 Code for:
Vitamin A deficiency
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
    (E00–E89)
    • Other nutritional deficiencies
      (E50-E64)
      • Vitamin A deficiency
        (E50)

E50 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of vitamin a deficiency. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Vitamin A deficiency

Non-specific codes like E50 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for vitamin a deficiency:

  • Use E50.0 for Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.1 for Vitamin A deficiency with Bitot's spot and conjunctival xerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.2 for Vitamin A deficiency with corneal xerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.3 for Vitamin A deficiency with corneal ulceration and xerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.4 for Vitamin A deficiency with keratomalacia - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.5 for Vitamin A deficiency with night blindness - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.6 for Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.7 for Other ocular manifestations of vitamin A deficiency - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.8 for Other manifestations of vitamin A deficiency - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use E50.9 for Vitamin A deficiency, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Vitamin A Deficiency

    a nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin a in the diet, characterized by night blindness and other ocular manifestations such as dryness of the conjunctiva and later of the cornea (xerophthalmia). vitamin a deficiency is a very common problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries as a consequence of famine or shortages of vitamin a-rich foods. in the united states it is found among the urban poor, the elderly, alcoholics, and patients with malabsorption. (from cecil textbook of medicine, 19th ed, p1179)

  • Vitamin A Deficiency

    deficiency of vitamin a due to malnutrition, malabsorption, or dietary lack. it is manifested with reduced night vision, night blindness, and xerophthalmia.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • sequelae of vitamin A deficiency E64.1

Patient Education


Malnutrition

Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. If you don't get enough nutrients -- including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals - you may suffer from malnutrition.

Causes of malnutrition include:

  • Lack of specific nutrients in your diet. Even the lack of one vitamin can lead to malnutrition.
  • An unbalanced diet
  • Certain medical problems, such as malabsorption syndromes and cancers

Symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, and weight loss. Or, you may have no symptoms. To diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor may do blood tests and a nutritional assessment. Treatment may include replacing the missing nutrients and treating the underlying cause.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Vitamin A

Vitamins are substances that your body needs to grow and develop normally. Vitamin A plays a role in your:

  • Vision
  • Bone growth
  • Reproduction
  • Cell functions
  • Immune system

Vitamin A is an antioxidant. It can come from plant or animal sources. Plant sources include colorful fruits and vegetables. Animal sources include liver and whole milk. Vitamin A is also added to foods like cereals.

Vegetarians, young children, and alcoholics may need extra Vitamin A. You might also need more if you have certain conditions, such as liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease. Check with your health care provider to see if you need to take vitamin A supplements.

NIH: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.