E40
Billable

Kwashiorkor

Billable / Specific Code

What is Kwashiorkor?

ICD-10-CM E40 is the diagnosis code for Kwashiorkor. This code falls under the section "Malnutrition" within Chapter 4 — Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for E40

✅ This Code Includes

  • Severe malnutrition with nutritional edema with dyspigmentation of skin and hair

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as E40. They are mutually exclusive:

  • marasmic kwashiorkor (E42)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where E40 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E40 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, E40 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What does E40 mean?

E40 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Kwashiorkor". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is E40 in?

E40 is located in Section E40-E46 — "Malnutrition" within Chapter 4 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

When should I use E40?

Use E40 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Kwashiorkor" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Kwashiorkor?

The ICD-10-CM code for Kwashiorkor is E40.

Can E40 be used for primary diagnosis?

Yes, E40 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.

What chapter is E40 in?

E40 is in Chapter 4 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from E40?

Type 1 Excludes for E40 include: marasmic kwashiorkor (E42).

Is E40 valid for 2026?

Yes, E40 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousE36.8Other intraoperative complications of endocrine systemNext →E41Nutritional marasmus
Code Details
E40
Kwashiorkor
Billable / Specific Code
4 — Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89)
E40-E46 — Malnutrition
2026 ICD-10-CM