Severe intellectual disabilities (F72)

The ICD-10 code F72 is used specifically to identify cases of severe intellectual disabilities. This code helps distinguish more significant levels of cognitive impairment within neurodevelopmental disorders, enabling accurate diagnosis and documentation.

Severe intellectual disability, also known by several synonyms such as congenital retrognathism, severe motor and intellectual disabilities, or severe intellectual disability syndromes involving behavioral abnormalities and distinctive physical features, falls under this code. These conditions may include associated symptoms like spastic diplegia, sensorineural deafness, dystonia, and various syndromes featuring facial dysmorphism or progressive neurological decline. By using the ICD-10 code F72, healthcare providers and coders can precisely indicate the presence of profound cognitive and developmental impairments, supporting tailored care and resource allocation for patients who exhibit these complex and severe intellectual challenges. This makes it the definitive code when tracking and reporting severe forms of intellectual disability with or without accompanying neurological or physical syndromes.