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  3. E00–E89
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  5. Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition (E46)

Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition (E46)

ICD-10 code E46 is used to identify cases of unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition, a condition where the body lacks adequate protein and calories but without a more specific classification. This code applies when the exact type or cause of malnutrition isn't determined.

Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition covers a range of nutritional deficiencies impacting overall health, often related to conditions such as hypoalbuminemia, protein deficiency diseases, and metabolic complications like malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus. Commonly connected terms like pre-existing malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus or starvation-related malnutrition help clarify that this code includes malnutrition that influences diabetes or develops due to inadequate nutrient intake. It also includes symptoms seen in children, such as nutritional maltreatment or child neglect, and physical signs like skin and hair changes resulting from poor nutrition. Using the ICD-10 code for unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition (E46) assists healthcare professionals and coders in documenting patients with these broad and sometimes complex nutritional disorders when more precise codes are not applicable.

Instructional Notations

Inclusion Terms

These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.

  • Malnutrition NOS
  • Protein-calorie imbalance NOS

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.

  • nutritional deficiency NOS E63.9

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.

Child Nutrition Disorders

Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, occurring in children ages 2 to 12 years.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

A life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, primarily of TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS with severe INSULIN deficiency and extreme HYPERGLYCEMIA. It is characterized by KETOSIS; DEHYDRATION; and depressed consciousness leading to COMA.

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.

Hypoalbuminemia

A condition in which albumin level in blood (SERUM ALBUMIN) is below the normal range. Hypoalbuminemia may be due to decreased hepatic albumin synthesis, increased albumin catabolism, altered albumin distribution, or albumin loss through the urine (ALBUMINURIA).

Hypoproteinemia

A condition in which total serum protein level is below the normal range. Hypoproteinemia can be caused by protein malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract, EDEMA, or PROTEINURIA.

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.

Protein-Losing Enteropathies

Pathological conditions in the INTESTINES that are characterized by the gastrointestinal loss of serum proteins, including SERUM ALBUMIN; IMMUNOGLOBULINS; and at times LYMPHOCYTES. Severe condition can result in HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA or LYMPHOPENIA. Protein-losing enteropathies are associated with a number of diseases including INTESTINAL LYMPHANGIECTASIS; WHIPPLE'S DISEASE; and NEOPLASMS of the SMALL INTESTINE.

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.