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Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by Grace Oluchi
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Most Common Diarrhea ICD-10 Codes:
- R19.7 – Diarrhea, unspecified (most frequently used)
- K59.1 – Functional diarrhea
- K58.0 – Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
- P78.3 – Noninfective neonatal diarrhea
- F45.8 – Psychogenic diarrhea
Key Facts: Rotavirus remains the predominant pathogen associated with diarrhea-related mortality globally. Campylobacter was the most common bacterial agent detected in recent hospital studies. The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM codes became effective on October 1, 2024.
ICD-10-CM codes are codes that name health problems. Doctors, researchers, and policy makers use them to record, report, and study health information. Diarrhea is one of the health problems that can be coded with ICD-10-CM. Diarrhea is when you poop a lot, and your poop is watery. Diarrhea can be short or long, depending on what causes it. It can also affect your work and life. So, it is important for you to find out why you have diarrhea and how to treat it.
Medical Context: The normal water content value in stools is approximately 10 mL/kg/day in infants and young children or 200 g/day in teenagers and adults. When this exceeds normal limits, proper ICD-10-CM coding becomes necessary for medical billing and population health tracking.
In this article, you will learn what ICD-10-CM codes are, what are the ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea, and how to use them right.
📋 Table of Contents
Diarrhea ICD-10 Codes
Diarrhea is when you have to go to the bathroom a lot and your poop is watery. Diarrhea can happen for a short time or a long time, depending on what causes it. Sometimes diarrhea is caused by germs, food, medicine, or surgery. Sometimes diarrhea is caused by problems in your gut, like IBD or IBS.
Current Research: Although the global burden of diarrhea in children under five has steadily declined, it remains a significant health threat. Recent studies show geographical variations in pathogen distribution, with bacterial causes being more common in some regions.
Diarrhea can make you lose water and salt from your body. It can also make it hard for your body to get the nutrients from your food. Diarrhea can make you feel weak and sick. It can also affect your work and life. So, it is important to find out why you have diarrhea and how to treat it. One of the tools that can help with this is the ICD-10-CM.
What is ICD-10-CM?
ICD-10-CM is a system of codes that name different diseases, symptoms, signs, and problems. It is used by doctors, researchers, and policy makers to record, report, and study health information. ICD-10-CM is based on the ICD-10, which is made by the WHO. But ICD-10-CM has more codes and more details than ICD-10, making it better for the US health care system.
Official Guidelines: These guidelines have been approved by the four organizations that make up the Cooperating Parties for the ICD-10-CM: the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), CMS, and NCHS.
ICD-10-CM codes have 3 to 7 letters and numbers. The first letter and the next two numbers tell you the main group and category of the code. The rest of the letters and numbers tell you more information about the code. For example, the code K52.9 means “Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified”. The letter K means that the code is about the digestive system. The numbers 52 mean that the code is about noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis. The number 9 means that the code is not specific, meaning that there is not enough information to give a more exact code.
What is the ICD-10-CM Codes for Diarrhea?
There are many ICD-10-CM codes that can be used for diarrhea, depending on the type, cause, and severity of the diarrhea. Here are some of the most common codes for diarrhea:
Primary Diarrhea Codes
K59.1: Functional diarrhea – This code is used for diarrhea that is not caused by any physical or structural problem in the digestive system. It is often related to IBS, stress, anxiety, or food.
P78.3: Noninfective neonatal diarrhea – This code is used for diarrhea that happens in newborns (less than 28 days old) and is not caused by any germ. It may be because of immature gut function, feeding problems, or birth defects.
R19.7: Diarrhea, unspecified – This code is used for diarrhea that is not otherwise named. It can be used when there is not enough information to give a more specific code, or when the cause of diarrhea is unknown or not important. This code can be used if the patient is confirmed to have diarrhea, but the specific type is unknown.
K58.0: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea – This code is used for diarrhea that is caused by IBS, a problem in the digestive system that causes belly pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. IBS with diarrhea is one of the types of IBS, and it is more common in women and younger adults.
F45.8: Other somatoform disorders – This code is used for diarrhea that is caused by psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. This is also called psychogenic diarrhea, and it is a type of somatoform disorder, which is a condition where physical symptoms are caused by mental or emotional problems.
Additional Infectious Diarrhea Codes
A04.X: Bacterial intestinal infections – Used for infectious diarrhea with specific bacterial pathogens. Campylobacter was the most common agent detected in recent clinical studies from Lebanese hospitals.
K50-K52: Inflammatory bowel conditions – Covers IBD-related diarrhea including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with specific anatomical and complication modifiers.
2025 Coding Updates
The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM codes became effective on October 1, 2024. Healthcare professionals need to stay current with these updates for accurate billing and compliance.
Key Changes for 2025:
- Updated coding guidelines from CMS and CDC
- New specificity requirements for certain diarrheal conditions
- Changes to excluded conditions and cross-references
- Updated documentation requirements
Staying current with these updates is crucial for healthcare professionals, providers, and payers to ensure accurate and efficient billing. The updates reflect the latest advancements in healthcare and clinical understanding.
How to use ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea?
ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea can be used for:
- Writing down the diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea in medical records and claims
- Talking about the diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea among doctors and specialists
- Finding out how many people have diarrhea and why, and how it changes over time
- Checking the quality, effectiveness, and cost of care for diarrhea and related problems
- Doing research and tests on diarrhea and related problems
To use ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea correctly, follow these rules:
- Picking the most specific and accurate code that matches the medical notes and the patient’s condition
- Using more codes to give more details about the cause, severity, problems, or other conditions of diarrhea, if needed
- Changing the codes regularly to show the changes in the patient’s condition or the treatment
- Following the coding rules and symbols of ICD-10-CM, such as the use of placeholders, modifiers, and symbols
Clinical Documentation Tips
For proper ICD-10-CM coding, healthcare providers should document:
Duration and Frequency:
- Acute (less than 4 weeks) vs. chronic (more than 4 weeks)
- Number of loose stools per day
- Time of symptom onset
Associated Symptoms:
- Fever, blood in stool, mucus
- Abdominal pain location and severity
- Dehydration signs
Potential Causes:
- Recent travel history
- Food intake and allergies
- Medication changes
- Stress factors or psychological conditions
Laboratory Results:
- Stool culture results
- Blood tests showing electrolyte imbalances
- Other diagnostic findings
This documentation helps coders select the most accurate ICD-10-CM code and supports proper reimbursement.
The Key Takeaway
Diarrhea is a common problem that can have different causes and effects. ICD-10-CM is a system of codes that can help with finding out and treating diarrhea and related problems. ICD-10-CM codes for diarrhea can be used for different purposes, such as writing, talking, finding out, checking, and doing research. But it is important to use the codes correctly and carefully, following the rules and symbols of ICD-10-CM.
Clinical Impact: Rotavirus is the leading pathogen, highlighting the importance of accurate coding for public health surveillance and intervention planning. Proper coding supports both individual patient care and population health monitoring.
FAQs On Diarrhea ICD-10 Codes
What is the difference between acute and chronic diarrhea in terms of ICD-10 codes?
Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts for a short time, usually less than 3 to 4 weeks. Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts for a long time, usually more than 3 to 4 weeks. The ICD-10 code for acute diarrhea is R19.7, which means diarrhea, unspecified. The ICD-10 code for chronic diarrhea is K52.9, which means noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified. These codes are used when there is not enough information to assign a more specific code, or when the cause of diarrhea is unknown or irrelevant.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by infections?
Diarrhea caused by infections can be coded with the category A04, which means other bacterial intestinal infections. This category includes codes for diarrhea caused by various bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium difficile. The codes in this category have four to six characters, depending on the type and severity of the infection.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by conditions like IBD or IBS?
Diarrhea caused by conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be coded with the category K50-K52, which means noninfective enteritis and colitis. This category includes codes for various types of inflammation and irritation of the intestines, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis. The codes in this category have four to seven characters, depending on the type, location, and complication of the condition. One of the codes in this category is K58.0, which means irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, which is a subtype of IBS.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by medications or food?
Diarrhea caused by medications or food can be coded with the category K52, which means other noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis. This category includes codes for diarrhea caused by various factors, such as adverse effects of drugs, food allergies, food poisoning, and radiation. The codes in this category have four to six characters, depending on the type and cause of the diarrhea.
What are the ICD-10 codes for diarrhea caused by psychological factors?
Diarrhea caused by psychological factors can be coded with the category F45, which means somatoform disorders. This category includes codes for conditions where physical symptoms are caused by mental or emotional distress, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. One of the codes in this category is F45.8, which means other somatoform disorders, which can be used for psychogenic diarrhea.
How do the 2025 ICD-10-CM updates affect diarrhea coding?
The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM codes became effective on October 1, 2024, bringing updated guidelines and requirements. Healthcare providers should review the latest coding guidelines to ensure compliance with new documentation standards and billing requirements.
What does recent research tell us about diarrhea patterns?
Recent studies among US military and adult travelers from 2018-2023 show evolving patterns in traveler’s diarrhea. Global incidence studies project trends from 2020-2040 at global, regional, and national levels, helping healthcare systems prepare for future needs.
References and Research
Official ICD-10-CM Resources
- CDC ICD-10-CM Guidelines FY25 – Official coding guidelines approved by cooperating parties – https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/158747
- CMS FY-2025 ICD-10-CM Guidelines – Updated coding requirements – https://www.cms.gov/files/document/fy-2025-icd-10-cm-coding-guidelines.pdf
- ICD-10 Data R19.7 – 2025 edition effective October 1, 2024 – https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/R00-R99/R10-R19/R19-/R19.7
- ICD-10 Data K58.0 – IBS with diarrhea coding guidelines – https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/K00-K95/K55-K64/K58-/K58.0
- AAPC Coding Resources – Professional coding guidance – https://www.aapc.com/codes/icd-10-codes/R19.7
Current Research Studies
- Global Burden Study 2024 – Trends in epidemiological characteristics and etiologies of diarrheal disease in children under five – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949704324000258
- PMC Global Incidence Analysis – Predictive model for diarrhea incidence 2020-2040 – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11434730/
- CDC Travelers’ Diarrhea Study – Etiology and epidemiology among US military personnel 2018-2023 – https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/14/24-0308_article
- Lebanese Hospital Study – Epidemiology of pathogens causing acute diarrhea – https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2024/03010/epidemiology_of_pathogens_causing_acute_diarrhea.26.aspx
- NCBI Clinical Reference – Comprehensive diarrhea clinical guidelines – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448082/
- BMC Public Health Study – African region diarrheal disease analysis – https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-19334-8
Additional Resources
- Carepatron ICD Codes – Most common ICD codes for diarrhea billing – https://www.carepatron.com/icd/diarrhea
- Coverself 2025 Updates – Key changes to ICD-10-CM coding in 2025 – https://www.coverself.com/blog/key-changes-to-icd-10-cm-coding-in-2025
