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  3. F01–F99
  4. Intellectual disabilities (F70-F79)

Intellectual disabilities (F70-F79)

ICD-10 codes F70-F79 are used to classify various levels and types of intellectual disabilities, capturing conditions ranging from mild to profound impairments in intellectual functioning. These codes help specify the severity and genetic or unspecified causes of intellectual disability for accurate diagnosis and care.

This range begins with F70 for mild intellectual disabilities, commonly recognized under synonyms like mild intellectual disability syndrome. F71 and F72 refer to moderate and severe intellectual disabilities, respectively, including associated syndromes such as severe intellectual disability with behavioral and motor abnormalities. Profound intellectual disabilities fall under F73. The codes F78 and its subcodes, including F78.A1, cover other intellectual disabilities, especially those linked to specific genetic causes like SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability, encompassing a wide range of rare genetic syndromes characterized by developmental delays and neurological symptoms. Finally, F79 codes are for unspecified intellectual disabilities, addressing cases with clinical features such as congenital malformations, neurodevelopmental delays, and complex syndromic presentations without a precise diagnosis. These codes guide healthcare providers and medical coders in cataloging detailed neurodevelopmental disorders and assist in treatment planning and epidemiological tracking.

Instructional Notations

Code First

Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.

  • any associated physical or developmental disorders

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.

  • borderline intellectual functioning, IQ above 70 to 84 R41.83