2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q79.0Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q65-Q79›Q79

ICD-10-CM Q79.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q79.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 205 through 206. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal congenital conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q79.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Short Description
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q79
Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ65-Q79Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system
CategoryQ79Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified
This CodeQ79.0Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q79.0 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Asplenia
  • Combined malformation of central nervous system and skeletal muscle
  • Congenital absence of spleen
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Congenital hernia of foramen of Morgagni
  • Congenital omphalocele
  • Congenital omphalocele, diaphragmatic hernia, cardiovascular anomalies, radial ray defect syndrome
  • Congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia
  • Congenital short bowel syndrome
  • Congenital umbilical hernia
  • Diaphragmatic hernia, short bowel, asplenia syndrome
  • Donnai-Barrow syndrome
  • Fryns syndrome
  • Hydranencephaly
  • Lethal hydranencephaly, diaphragmatic hernia syndrome
  • Microphthalmos due to Fryns syndrome
  • PAGOD syndrome
  • Short bowel syndrome

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • congenital hiatus hernia Q40.1

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Defect, defective
      • diaphragm
        • congenital
          • with hernia
    • Defect, defective
      • diaphragm
        • congenital
          • gross (with hernia)
    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • diaphragm, diaphragmatic
        • congenital

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MAL008
Musculoskeletal congenital conditions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Short Bowel Syndrome

    a malabsorption syndrome resulting from extensive operative resection of the small intestine, the absorptive region of the gastrointestinal tract.

  • Hydranencephaly

    a congenital condition where the greater portions of the cerebral hemispheres and corpus striatum are replaced by csf and glial tissue. the meninges and the skull are well formed, which is consistent with earlier normal embryogenesis of the telencephalon. bilateral occlusions of the internal carotid arteries in utero is a potential mechanism. clinical features include intact brainstem reflexes without evidence of higher cortical activity. (menkes, textbook of child neurology, 5th ed, p307)

  • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

    diaphragmatic hernia that is present at birth.

  • Short Bowel Syndrome

    malabsorption that results from the removal of a large segment of the small intestine or, less frequently, from the complete dysfunction of a large portion of the small intestine. signs and symptoms include diarrhea, steatorrhea, and weight loss.

  • Hydranencephaly

    a rare congenital brain disorder in which the cerebral hemispheres are absent and replaced by sacs that contain cerebrospinal fluid. signs and symptoms include irritability, increased muscle tone, seizures, and hydrocephalus. the prognosis is poor.

  • Fryns Syndrome

    a rare syndrome inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. it is characterized by the presence of diaphragmatic defects, distinctive facial features (hypertelorism, low-set ears, flat nasal bridge, and micrognathia), distal digital hypoplasia, lung hypoplasia, and brain, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular malformations.

  • Multinucleated Neurons, Anhydramnios, Renal Dysplasia, Cerebellar Hypoplasia And Hydranencephaly|MARCH

    a lethal autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the cep55 gene, encoding centrosomal protein of 55 kda. it is characterized by renal dysplasia, anhydramnios, hydrancephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, and multinucleated neurons in remaining brain tissue.

  • Multinucleated Neurons, Anhydramnios, Renal Dysplasia, Cerebellar Hypoplasia and Hydranencephaly|MARCH

    a lethal autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the cep55 gene, encoding centrosomal protein of 55 kda. it is characterized by renal dysplasia, anhydramnios, hydrancephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, and multinucleated neurons in remaining brain tissue.

Patient EducationClinical

Birth Defects

A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of pregnancy. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.

The full article covers:

  • What are birth defects?
  • What causes birth defects?
  • Who is at risk of having a baby with birth defects?
  • How are birth defects diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for birth defects?
  • Can birth defects be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Q79.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
756.6 Anomalies of diaphragm
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Q79.0Overview

Is Q79.0 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report congenital diaphragmatic hernia on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does Q79.0 group to?

When congenital diaphragmatic hernia is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 205, 206, with relative weights from 0.9411 to 1.8310 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is Q79.0 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for congenital diaphragmatic hernia on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q79.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, congenital diaphragmatic hernia converts to ICD-9-CM 756.6 (anomalies of diaphragm). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.