ICD-10 Code A50.02 – Early congenital syphilitic osteochondropathy (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A50.02 – Early congenital syphilitic osteochondropathy
What it is
This code identifies bone and cartilage changes caused by congenital syphilis in an early stage. Use it when documentation specifically links the osteochondropathy to congenital syphilis.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Standard references describe painful limb movement, pseudoparalysis, or radiographic changes involving the metaphyses in affected infants.
When to use this code
Use A50.02 when the record states early congenital syphilitic osteochondropathy, or when the clinician documents syphilitic bone involvement in a newborn or infant. You should code from the provider’s confirmed diagnosis, not from suspicion alone.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for non-syphilitic osteochondropathy, other congenital infections, or unspecified congenital syphilis without bone involvement. Check documentation if the chart does not clearly connect the skeletal findings to syphilis.
Coding tip
Confirm both the congenital syphilis diagnosis and the early osteochondropathy wording before assigning A50.02.