Birth injury to scalp (P12) ICD-10-CM
The P12 code range covers birth injury to scalp with 10 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 8 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Codes in the P12 Range 10 codes · 8 billable
- P12 Birth injury to scalpNon-billable
- P12.0 Cephalhematoma due to birth injury
- P12.1 Chignon (from vacuum extraction) due to birth injury
- P12.2 Epicranial subaponeurotic hemorrhage due to birth injury
- P12.3 Bruising of scalp due to birth injury
- P12.4 Injury of scalp of newborn due to monitoring equipment
- P12.8 Other birth injuries to scalpNon-billable
- P12.81 Caput succedaneum
- P12.89 Other birth injuries to scalp
- P12.9 Birth injury to scalp, unspecified
About the P12 Code Range
ICD-10 code P12 identifies specific types of birth injuries to the scalp, covering a range of scalp traumas sustained during delivery. These codes help healthcare providers accurately document newborn scalp injuries such as bruising, swelling, or hemorrhages.
The ICD-10 code for birth injury to scalp includes detailed subcategories. For example, P12.0 codes cephalhematoma, also known as subperiosteal hemorrhage or cephalhematoma deformans of Schuller. P12.1 refers to a chignon caused by vacuum extraction, commonly called caput succedaneum or vacuum extraction chignon. P12.2 covers epicranial subaponeurotic hemorrhage, a severe birth trauma sometimes described as massive subgaleal hemorrhage. Bruising is coded under P12.3 and can be found as neonatal scalp bruising or contusion of scalp. Injuries from fetal monitoring devices are coded with P12.4. Other scalp injuries like lacerations or abrasions fall under P12.89, while unspecified scalp birth injuries use P12.9, which may include ischemic alopecia due to birth injury. This coding section assists in capturing various scalp trauma nuances during newborn care.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the P12 range?
Of the 10 codes in this range, 8 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the P12 range classify?
The range classifies birth injury to scalp. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
