Tetanus neonatorum
In Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- A33 is billable and valid on claims for FY 2027. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under A30-A49 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication), which can raise the MS-DRG payment. It doesn't count when the principal diagnosis is one of 18 closely related codes.
- Doesn't count toward a Medicare Advantage risk score (no HCC in V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as not chronic (an acute or short-term condition).
- Expected only on newborn records. (Newborn list)
Also indexed as: Omphalitis, tetanus; Tetanus, neonatorum; Trismus, neonatorum; Trismus, newborn
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Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Rules for coding infections and parasitic diseases, including HIV, organism and drug resistance codes, sepsis and septic shock, MRSA, Zika, and COVID-19.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections (page 19)
- Infectious agents as the cause of diseases classified to other chapters (page 22)
- Infections resistant to antibiotics (page 22)
- Sepsis, Severe Sepsis, and Septic Shock (page 23)
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Conditions (page 27)
- Zika virus infections (page 28)
- Coronavirus infections (page 28)
Other codes under A30-A49
Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49)
- A30Leprosy [Hansen's disease]
- A31Infection due to other mycobacteria
- A32Listeriosis
- A33Tetanus neonatorum(this code)
- A34Obstetrical tetanus
- A35Other tetanus
- A36Diphtheria
- A37Whooping cough
- A38Scarlet fever
- A39Meningococcal infection
- A40Streptococcal sepsis
- A41Other sepsis
- A42Actinomycosis
- A43Nocardiosis
- A44Bartonellosis
- A46Erysipelas
- A48Other bacterial diseases, not elsewhere classified
- A49Bacterial infection of unspecified site
A33 MS-DRG
As the principal diagnosis, A33 groups to MS-DRG 794 (v44.0).
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
A33 is in Perinatal infections (PNL009, its default category), with 78 codes. Others in it:
- A48.51 Infant botulism
- A50.01 Early congenital syphilitic oculopathy
- A50.02 Early congenital syphilitic osteochondropathy
- A50.03 Early congenital syphilitic pharyngitis
- A50.04 Early congenital syphilitic pneumonia
- A50.05 Early congenital syphilitic rhinitis
- A50.06 Early cutaneous congenital syphilis
- A50.07 Early mucocutaneous congenital syphilis
A33 is in Bacterial infections (INF003), with 398 codes. Others in it:
Medicare coverage articles listing A33
This Medicare billing and coding article lists A33 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
Other codes that refer to A33
Notes on these codes point to A33.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious illness caused by Clostridium bacteria. The bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through a deep cut, like those you might get from stepping on a nail, or through a burn.
Read more about tetanus on MedlinePlusUncommon Infant and Newborn Problems
It can be scary when your baby is sick, especially when it is not an everyday problem like a cold or a fever. You may not know whether the problem is serious or how to treat it. If you have concerns about your baby's health, call your health care provider right away.
Read more about uncommon infant and newborn problems on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 771.3 Tetanus neonatorum