2027 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to E54: its own notes plus those printed at block E50-E64 and Chapter 4. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Applicable To
Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.
- Deficiency of vitamin C
- Scurvy
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
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.
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- All neoplasms, whether functionally active or not, are classified in Chapter 2. Appropriate codes in this chapter (i.e. E05.8, E07.0, E16-E31, E34.-) may be used as additional codes to indicate either functional activity by neoplasms and ectopic endocrine tissue or hyperfunction and hypofunction of endocrine glands associated with neoplasms and other conditions classified elsewhere.
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name E54, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 3
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming E54: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Code First 2
These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and E54 is one of the conditions named.
Notes 1
These notes mention E54.
- E64 Sequelae of malnutrition and other nutritional deficienciesThis category is to be used to indicate conditions in categories E43, E44, E46, E50-E63 as the cause of sequelae, which are themselves classified elsewhere. The 'sequelae' include conditions specified as such; they also include the late effects of diseases classifiable to the above categories if the disease itself is no longer present names E50-E63, which includes this code
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
ascorbic E54
Arthritis, arthritic (acute) (chronic) (nonpyogenic) (subacute) M19.90
scorbutic See Also: subcategory M14.8-; E54
Barlow's disease E54
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)
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
What is the ICD-10 code for ascorbic acid deficiency?
The ICD-10-CM code for ascorbic acid deficiency is E54. It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does E54 group to?
When ascorbic acid deficiency is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 641, 640, with relative weights from 0.7864 to 1.3392 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can E54 be reported with D53.2?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on E54 lists "scorbutic anemia (D53.2)". 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).
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.
