2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E54Ascorbic acid deficiency
ICD-10-CM Codes›E00–E89›E50-E64›E54
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
E54 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for ascorbic acid deficiency. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 640 through 641. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nutritional deficiencies.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Ascorbic acid deficiency
- Ascorbic acid deficiency with hemorrhage
- Disorder of vitamin C
- Gingival disease due to ascorbic acid deficiency
- Inadequate intake of ascorbic acid
- Inadequate intake of carbohydrate
- Infantile scurvy
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Deficiency of vitamin C
- Scurvy
Type 1 Excludes
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
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.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Arthritis, arthritic (acute) (chronic) (nonpyogenic) (subacute) - M19.90
- scorbutic - See Also: subcategory M14.8-; - E54
- Barlow's disease - E54
- Cheadle's disease - E54
- ascorbic acid - E54
- vitamin (multiple) NOS - E56.9
- C - E54
- Inflammation, inflamed, inflammatory (with exudation)
- alveoli, teeth - M27.3
- scorbutic - E54
- scorbutic, alveoli, teeth - E54
- Scurvy, scorbutic - E54
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Acid
- deficiency
- ascorbic
- Arthritis, arthritic(acute) (chronic) (nonpyogenic) (subacute)
- scorbutic
- Barlow's disease
- Cheadle's disease
- Deficiency, deficient
- ascorbic acid
- Deficiency, deficient
- vitamin (multiple) NOS
- C
- Inflammation, inflamed, inflammatory(with exudation)
- alveoli, teeth
- scorbutic
- Inflammation, inflamed, inflammatory(with exudation)
- scorbutic, alveoli, teeth
- Purpura
- scorbutic
- Scurvy, scorbutic
- Scurvy, scorbutic
- gum
- Scurvy, scorbutic
- infantile
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Ascorbic Acid Deficiency
a condition due to a dietary deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin c), characterized by malaise, lethargy, and weakness. as the disease progresses, joints, muscles, and subcutaneous tissues may become the sites of hemorrhage. ascorbic acid deficiency frequently develops into scurvy in young children fed unsupplemented cow's milk exclusively during their first year. it develops also commonly in chronic alcoholism. (cecil textbook of medicine, 19th ed, p1177)Scurvy
an acquired blood vessel disorder caused by severe deficiency of vitamin c (ascorbic acid) in the diet leading to defective collagen formation in small blood vessels. scurvy is characterized by bleeding in any tissue, weakness, anemia, spongy gums, and a brawny induration of the muscles of the calves and legs.
Patient EducationClinical
Malnutrition
Malnutrition means that your body isn't getting enough calories or the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. This can happen if you don't get enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats, eat too much unhealthy food, or don't get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
The full article covers:
- What is malnutrition?
- What are the types of malnutrition?
- What causes malnutrition?
- Who is at risk for developing malnutrition?
- What are the symptoms of malnutrition?
- How is malnutrition diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for malnutrition?
- Can malnutrition be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert E54 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About E54Overview
Is E54 (Ascorbic acid deficiency) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report ascorbic acid deficiency on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does E54 group to?
When ascorbic acid deficiency is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 640, 641, with relative weights from 0.7782 to 1.3356 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of E54?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, ascorbic acid deficiency converts to ICD-9-CM 267 (ascorbic acid deficiency). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
