When is ICD-10 code Z38 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code Z38 when recording liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code Z38 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code Z38: Liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery

Name: ICD-10 Code Z38: Liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:50:35.329Z

Z38 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery. 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. 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 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 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 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery 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

21Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)

block

Z30-Z39Persons encountering health services in circumstances related to reproduction

currentZ30-Z39

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms

This category is for use as the principal code on the initial record of a newborn baby. It is to be used for the initial birth record only. It is not to be used on the mother's record.

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

General PhysicianGastroenterologist

Sibling codes

Z30Encounter for contraceptive management Z31Encounter for procreative management Z32Encounter for pregnancy test and childbirth and childcare instruction Z33Pregnant state Z34Encounter for supervision of normal pregnancy Z36Encounter for antenatal screening of mother Z3AWeeks of gestation Z37Outcome of delivery Z39Encounter for maternal postpartum care and examination

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

Z38

Replacement codes

Z38.1 — Single liveborn infant, born outside hospitalZ38.2 — Single liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birthZ38.4 — Twin liveborn infant, born outside hospitalZ38.5 — Twin liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birthZ38.7 — Other multiple liveborn infant, born outside hospitalZ38.8 — Other multiple liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth

Common synonyms

Liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery

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.