Pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 codes were revised for 2022 and will help Speech-Language pathologists better define eating difficulties, aversions and refusals. Although these disorders can be considered common, clinicians had difficulty classifying them in the past. Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists who specialize in feeding often work with children who display “picky eating” and will only eat a limited variety of foods. SLPs also frequently see children who refuse to eat, which could be due to a variety of reasons.
In October 2021, new pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 codes took effect for the fiscal year 2022. Two of these new pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 codes help SLPs define feeding refusals, aversions, and difficulties: R63.1, acute Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD), and R63.32, chronic Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD).
Pediatric feeding disorders can affect a client’s quality of life and cause families a financial burden (an average lifetime income loss of approximately $125,645).
The disorder can also lead to serious health consequences. Feeding disorders in children can result in medical conditions such as failure to thrive, and compromised general health.
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play a critical role as part of an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals treating a client with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder. SLPs are responsible for identifying signs and symptoms of a Pediatric Feeding Disorder through an assessment.
The SLP also provides treatment for Pediatric Feeding Disorders that can include modifying the texture of certain foods or recommending certain strategies for mealtimes.
Being knowledgeable about Pediatric Feeding Disorders ICD-10 codes can help Speech-Language Pathologists ensure they are following Medicaid and American Speech-Hearing-Language Association guidelines to document a pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 code for certain clients to the highest degree of specificity.
Here’s what you need to know about Pediatric Feeding Disorders ICD-10 codes as well as criteria symptoms, and the top-recommended resources to guide your treatment
Pediatric Feeding Disorders ICD-10
SLPs are required to use pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 codes when diagnosing clients and charging procedures. In order to stay compliant with HIPAA regulations and for payment by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies, therapists must use the most accurate, specific pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 codes.
The Pediatric Feeding Disorder ICD-10 codes to use when diagnosing a client are:
- R63.31: Acute Pediatric Feeding Disorder (present for less than 3 months)
- R63.31: Chronic Pediatric Feeding Disorder (present for 3 months or longer)
Therapists can use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) ICD-10 lookup tool or the 2022 list of ICD-10 CM Diagnosis Codes related to Speech, Language, and Swallowing Disorders by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) to view some of the specifications surrounding when to use pediatric feeding disorder ICD-10 codes for a client who has a feeding disorder.
The Pediatric Feeding Disorder ICD-10 codes exclude:
- R13.1 Dysphagia
- F50.- Eating Disorders (such as anorexia nervosa)
- F98.2- Infant Feeding Disorder of nonorganic origin
Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Feeding Disorder
The World Health Organization Internal Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health provides a framework that defines a Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) as: “impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction”.
The following associated medical conditions may be diagnosed in addition to a Pediatric Feeding Disorder:
- Dysphagia (R13.1-)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (K21.-)
- Aspiration pneumonia (J69.0)
- Malnutrition (E40-E46)
- Children with neurologic impairments
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (ex: Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Pediatric Feeding Disorders have 4 underlying domains
- Medica
- Nutritional
- Feeding Skills
- Psychosocial
Several of these domains may be present because an impairment in one area can lead to an impairment in another.
Prevalence of Pediatric Feeding Disorder
According to the Journal of Pediatrics, each year more than 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 in the U.S. receive a diagnosis of a Pediatric Feeding Disorder.
Pediatric Feeding Disorders, therefore, are considered common and are even more prevalent than certain pediatric conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy.
Assessment & Treatment for Individuals with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder
An assessment for a client who is suspected to have a Pediatric Feeding Disorder may include
- Oral Motor Examination
- Case History (obtain information through interviewing the client and/or family, asking about symptoms, review of medical chart/history, and interdisciplinary collaboration with other professionals managing the client’s treatment).
- Assessment of 4 domains: Feeding skills, medical, nutrition, and psychosocial
- Tools such as the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire and the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS)
When providing treatment for a client with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder, the SLP may include:
- Modifications to diet consistency
- Compensatory strategies/modifications to the mealtime environment taught to parents
- Strategies for increasing the patient’s variety in his or her diet
