ICD10
ICD-10 Code P91.6: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [hie] in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
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.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
16Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96)
block
P90-P96Other disorders originating in the perinatal period
category
P91Other disturbances of cerebral status of newborn
currentP91
Official coding notes
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- Neonatal cerebral depression (P91.4)
- Neonatal cerebral irritability (P91.3)
- Neonatal coma (P91.5)
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
PediatricianNeonatologist
Related codes
Sibling codes
P91.0Neonatal cerebral ischemiabillableP91.1Acquired periventricular cysts of newbornbillableP91.2Neonatal cerebral leukomalaciabillableP91.3Neonatal cerebral irritabilitybillableP91.4Neonatal cerebral depressionbillableP91.5Neonatal comabillableP91.8Other specified disturbances of cerebral status of newbornP91.9Disturbance of cerebral status of newborn, unspecifiedbillable
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 134831000119103high
Mild neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 134821000119101high
Moderate neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 277480002high
Neonatal asphyxial encephalopathy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1144223007high
Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 126945001high
Perinatal anoxic-ischemic brain injury
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 134811000119108high
Severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy of newborn
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
P91.6
Replacement codes
P91.60 — Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE], unspecifiedP91.61 — Mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]P91.62 — Moderate hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]P91.63 — Severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]
Common synonyms
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]
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.