ICD-10 Code K90.82 – Short bowel syndrome (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K90.82 – Short bowel syndrome
What it is
K90.82 identifies short bowel syndrome, a condition where too little small intestine remains to absorb nutrients and fluid normally. It usually follows major bowel resection or loss of intestinal function.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings include chronic diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, malabsorption, and nutritional deficiencies after significant intestinal loss.
When to use this code
Use K90.82 when the record clearly documents short bowel syndrome or intestinal failure related to insufficient small-bowel length. You may also use it when the provider links malabsorption, fluid loss, or dependence on specialized nutrition to this diagnosis.
Do not code it for nonspecific diarrhea or generic malabsorption without documentation of short bowel syndrome. Check documentation for the underlying surgical history or clinical diagnosis supporting the code.
Do not use for
Do not use K90.82 for routine postoperative bowel changes, isolated malabsorption, or diarrhea without confirmed short bowel syndrome. Check documentation if the condition is only suspected.
Coding tip
Confirm that the provider explicitly documents short bowel syndrome and, when relevant, the cause such as bowel resection.