ICD-10 Code O92.12: Cracked nipple associated with the puerperium
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 Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A).
đź“‹Clinical overview
This ICD-10 code is commonly used when documentation describes a maternal breast or nipple disorder associated with pregnancy, the puerperium, or lactation. The most accurate code depends on whether the documented problem is retracted nipple, cracked nipple, another specified breast disorder, or an unspecified breast disorder, along with maternal timing and trimester detail when pregnancy-coded.
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents cracked nipple associated with the puerperium 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.
đź©şClinical context
- Obstetric, postpartum, lactation-support, urgent-care, and follow-up documentation where maternal nipple or breast symptoms affect comfort, feeding tolerance, or recovery planning.
- Coding and utilization-review workflows where the chart distinguishes retracted nipple, cracked nipple, and other maternal breast disorders and where pregnancy versus puerperium or lactation timing changes final code specificity.
- Maternal breast-disorder follow-up often includes breast and nipple symptom review, focused exam findings, feeding or pumping history, and coordination of obstetric or lactation-support follow-up.
- Documentation usually becomes more specific when the chart identifies the exact nipple or breast disorder, trimester timing, postpartum context, lactation association, or related breast symptoms.
- Specialist context already linked on this page includes Obstetrician, Gynecologist.
🔍Key distinctions
- This ICD-10 family captures noninfectious maternal breast and nipple disorders rather than the O91 breast-infection branch.
- The distinction between retracted nipple, cracked nipple, and other specified or unspecified maternal breast disorders can change code selection inside this family.
- Puerperium-associated breast-disorder coding is separate from antepartum pregnancy timing because the postpartum recovery setting changes the maternal care context.
Code hierarchy
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
Related codes
Sibling codes
Coding guidelines
Common synonyms
Frequently asked questions
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.