Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree (E44) ICD-10-CM
The E44 code range covers protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree with 3 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 2 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 E44 Range 3 codes · 2 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the E44 range.
Child Nutrition Disorders
Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, occurring in children ages 2 to 12 years.
Fetal Nutrition Disorders
Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, in the FETUS in utero.
Fetus
The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.
Infant Nutrition Disorders
Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, occurring in infants ages 1 month to 24 months.
Malnutrition
An imbalanced nutritional status resulting from insufficient intake of nutrients to meet normal physiological requirement.
Protein-Energy Malnutrition
The lack of sufficient energy or protein to meet the body's metabolic demands, as a result of either an inadequate dietary intake of protein, intake of poor quality dietary protein, increased demands due to disease, or increased nutrient losses.
Severe Acute Malnutrition
Acute form of MALNUTRITION which usually affects children, characterized by a very low weight for height (below -3z scores of the median World Health Organization standards), visible severe wasting, or occurrence of nutritional EDEMA. It can be a direct or indirect cause of fatality in children suffering from DIARRHEA and PNEUMONIA. Do not confuse with starvation, a condition in which the body is not getting enough food, usually for extended periods of time.
About the E44 Code Range
ICD-10 code E44 covers protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degrees, which describes conditions where the body lacks adequate protein and calories for proper nutrition. These codes are used to identify and document cases where nutritional intake falls below healthy standards but is not severe.
This section includes E44.0 for moderate protein-calorie malnutrition and E44.1 for mild protein-calorie malnutrition. Moderate cases, sometimes called moderate protein energy malnutrition or malnutrition of moderate degree, reflect weight-for-age between 60 and 74 percent of a standard reference. Mild protein-calorie malnutrition corresponds to weight-for-age between 75 and 89 percent of the standard. These alternate names and weight-based criteria help medical coders select the correct ICD-10 code for malnutrition when evaluating nutritional status. Health professionals use these codes to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation of non-severe nutritional deficiencies related to insufficient protein and calorie consumption.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the E44 range?
Of the 3 codes in this range, 2 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 E44 range classify?
The range classifies protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree. 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.
