Thiamine deficiency (E51)
ICD-10 code E51 covers conditions caused by thiamine deficiency, including different forms of beriberi, Wernicke's encephalopathy, and other related neurological and nutritional disorders. These codes specify the exact manifestation of thiamine deficiency, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment documentation.
The code E51 identifies thiamine deficiency as a whole. Subcodes like E51.11 for dry beriberi (also known as infantile beriberi or beriberi neuropathy) capture neurological damage from vitamin B1 deficiency. E51.12 represents wet beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular system and is sometimes called cardiac or Shoshin beriberi. E51.2 is used for Wernicke's encephalopathy, a serious brain disorder linked to prolonged thiamine deficiency, known by synonyms like Wernicke's disease or cerebral degeneration due to beriberi. Other codes like E51.8 describe additional neurological conditions caused by thiamine shortage, including optic and cranial neuropathies. If the thiamine deficiency is suspected but not specifically classified, E51.9 is applied. Understanding these subcodes helps medical coders match the ICD-10 code for thiamine deficiency with the patient’s exact clinical presentation for accurate reporting.
Instructional Notations
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.
- sequelae of thiamine deficiency E64.8
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Beriberi
A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) and characterized by polyneuritis, cardiac pathology, and edema. The epidemic form is found primarily in areas in which white (polished) rice is the staple food, as in Japan, China, the Philippines, India, and other countries of southeast Asia. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Thiamine Deficiency
A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of THIAMINE in the diet, characterized by anorexia, irritability, and weight loss. Later, patients experience weakness, peripheral neuropathy, headache, and tachycardia. In addition to being caused by a poor diet, thiamine deficiency in the United States most commonly occurs as a result of alcoholism, since ethanol interferes with thiamine absorption. In countries relying on polished rice as a dietary staple, BERIBERI prevalence is very high. (From Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 19th ed, p1171)
Wernicke Encephalopathy
An acute neurological disorder characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and disturbances of mental activity or consciousness. Eye movement abnormalities include nystagmus, external rectus palsies, and reduced conjugate gaze. THIAMINE DEFICIENCY and chronic ALCOHOLISM are associated conditions. Pathologic features include periventricular petechial hemorrhages and neuropil breakdown in the diencephalon and brainstem. Chronic thiamine deficiency may lead to KORSAKOFF SYNDROME. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1139-42; Davis & Robertson, Textbook of Neuropathology, 2nd ed, pp452-3)
