Q03.9 Congenital hydrocephalus, unspecified
The ICD-10-CM code for Congenital hydrocephalus, unspecified is Q03.9 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.
Classification
- Section
- Q00-Q07: Congenital malformations of the nervous system (Q00-Q07)
- Category Q03
- 5 codes (4 billable)
- FY2026 Status
- Stable since FY2024
Also Known As
ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to Q03.9:
- Hydrocephalus (acquired) (external) (internal) (malignant) (recurrent) › congenital (external) (internal)
- Hydrocephalus (acquired) (external) (internal) (malignant) (recurrent) › newborn
- Agenesis › skull (bone) › with › hydrocephalus
- Degeneration, degenerative › brain (cortical) (progressive) › in › congenital hydrocephalus
- Hypoplasia, hypoplastic › skull (bone) › with › hydrocephalus
- Distortion (s) (congenital) › skull bone (s) NEC › with › hydrocephalus
- Absence (of) (organ or part) (complete or partial) › skull bone (congenital) › with › hydrocephalus
- Anomaly, anomalous (congenital) (unspecified type) › skull › with › hydrocephalus
U.S. Hospital Utilization
- An estimated 7,580 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included Q03.9 among the documented diagnoses.
- 320 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.
Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.
Official Coding Guidelines
POA indicator for congenital conditions/anomalies and Q00-Q99 exceptionCongenital conditions and anomalies Assign “Y” for congenital conditions and anomalies except for categories Q00- Q99, Congenital anomalies, which are on the exempt list. Congenital conditions are always considered present on admission.
Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026