Obstetrical tetanus
In Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49), chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
- A34 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 a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can raise the MS-DRG payment. It doesn't count when the principal diagnosis is one of 268 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 maternity records. (Maternity list)
Also indexed as: Puerperal, tetanus; Tetanus, with, abortion; Tetanus, obstetrical; Tetanus, puerperal, postpartum, childbirth
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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
- A34Obstetrical tetanus(this code)
- 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
A34 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, A34 groups to MS-DRG 769 or 776 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
A34 is in Complications specified during childbirth (PRG023, its default category), with 111 codes. Others in it:
- O10.02 Pre-existing essential hypertension complicating childbirth
- O10.12 Pre-existing hypertensive heart disease complicating childbirth
- O10.22 Pre-existing hypertensive chronic kidney disease complicating childbirth
- O10.32 Pre-existing hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease complicating childbirth
- O10.42 Pre-existing secondary hypertension complicating childbirth
- O10.92 Unspecified pre-existing hypertension complicating childbirth
- O11.4 Pre-existing hypertension with pre-eclampsia, complicating childbirth
- O12.04 Gestational edema, complicating childbirth
A34 is in Bacterial infections (INF003), with 398 codes. Others in it:
Medicare coverage articles listing A34
These 2 Medicare billing and coding articles list A34 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 A34
Notes on these codes point to A34.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Infections and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, some common infections such as the common cold or a skin infection do not usually cause serious problems. Some infections, such as the flu, can be more severe when you're pregnant. But other infections can be harmful to you, your fetus, or both.
Read more about infections and pregnancy on MedlinePlusTetanus
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 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).
- 639.0 Genital tract and pelvic infection following abortion or ectopic and molar pregnancies (approximate)