Congenital hydrocephalus (Q03) ICD-10-CM
The Q03 code range covers congenital hydrocephalus with 5 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 4 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- hydrocephalus in newborn
Type 1 Excludes
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.
Codes in the Q03 Range 5 codes · 4 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the Q03 range.
Congenital Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus that is present at birth.
Dandy-Walker Syndrome
A congenital abnormality of the central nervous system marked by failure of the midline structures of the cerebellum to develop, dilation of the fourth ventricle, and upward displacement of the transverse sinuses, tentorium, and torcula. Clinical features include occipital bossing, progressive head enlargement, bulging of anterior fontanelle, papilledema, ataxia, gait disturbances, nystagmus, and intellectual compromise. (From Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, pp294-5)
About the Q03 Code Range
Congenital hydrocephalus is hydrocephalus present at birth. It falls within congenital malformations of the nervous system.
The subdivisions distinguish malformations of the aqueduct of Sylvius (Q03.0) from atresia of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka (Q03.1). Atresia means the openings are absent or closed. Other congenital hydrocephalus has Q03.8; unspecified congenital hydrocephalus has Q03.9.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the Q03 range?
Of the 5 codes in this range, 4 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the Q03 range classify?
The range classifies congenital hydrocephalus. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
