2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code P22.9Respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›P00–P96›P19-P29›P22

ICD-10-CM P22.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

P22.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 794. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Respiratory distress syndrome.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
P22.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified
Short Description
Respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
P22
Respiratory distress of newborn

Code Classification

ChapterP00–P96Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period
SectionP19-P29Respiratory and cardiovascular disorders specific to the perinatal period
CategoryP22Respiratory distress of newborn
This CodeP22.9Respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute respiratory distress
  • Brain lung thyroid syndrome
  • Chronic respiratory failure
  • Distal spinal muscular atrophy
  • Early-onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress, dysphagia syndrome
  • Neonatal acute respiratory distress
  • Neonatal respiratory distress
  • Respiratory distress
  • Respiratory distress in early neonatal period
  • Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 2
  • X-linked distal hereditary motor neuropathy

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to P22.9: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 16. 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 16 (P00-P96) Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period applies to 463 codes
  • conditions that have their origin in the fetal or perinatal period (before birth through the first 28 days after birth) even if morbidity occurs later

Excludes1

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

  • respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81)
  • respiratory failure of newborn NOS (P28.5)

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 Chapter 16 (P00-P96) Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period applies to 463 codes
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • tetanus neonatorum (A33)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 16 (P00-P96) Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period applies to 463 codes
  • Codes from this chapter are for use on newborn records only, never on maternal records

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name P22.9, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming P22.9: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R06 Abnormalities of breathing
    respiratory distress syndrome of newborn (P22.-) names P22.-, which includes this code
  • T71 Asphyxiation
    respiratory distress (syndrome) in newborn (P22.-) names P22.-, which includes this code

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming P22.9: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • P27 Chronic respiratory disease originating in the perinatal period
    respiratory distress of newborn (P22.0-P22.9) names P22.0-P22.9, which includes this code

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR PNL005
Respiratory distress syndrome
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Lung Diseases

When you breathe, your lungs take in oxygen from the air and deliver it to the bloodstream. The cells in your body need oxygen to work and grow. During a normal day, you breathe nearly 25,000 times. People with lung disease have difficulty breathing. Millions of people in the U.S. have lung disease.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert P22.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
770.89 Resp prob after brth NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 P22.9Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified?

The ICD-10-CM code for respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified is P22.9 (sometimes written as P229). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is P22.9 (Respiratory distress of newborn) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does P22.9 group to?

When respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 794 (neonate with Other Significant Problems), which carries a relative weight of 1.4934. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can P22.9 be reported with P28.81?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on P22.9 lists "respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81)". 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 P22.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 770.89 (resp prob after brth NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.