HealthAssure
HealthAssureGood Life
ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code E40: Kwashiorkor

E40 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Kwashiorkor in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89).

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents kwashiorkor in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
4Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89)
block
E40-E46Malnutrition
currentE40-E46

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Severe malnutrition with nutritional edema with dyspigmentation of skin and hair
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • marasmic kwashiorkor (E42)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

EndocrinologistGeneral Physician

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
E40

Common synonyms

Kwashiorkor

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeE40
SystemICD10
Display nameKwashiorkor
ChapterEndocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89)
BlockMalnutrition

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Edema, edematous(infectious) (pitting) (toxic)KwashiorkorMalnutritionMalnutritionMalnutritionMalnutritionMalnutritionPluricarential syndrome of infancyPolycarential syndrome of infancySyndromeSyndromeSyndrome

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.