ICD-10 Code E34.31 – Constitutional short stature (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E34.31 – Constitutional short stature
What it is
Constitutional short stature describes a person who is shorter than expected for age without evidence of disease causing the pattern. It is generally a normal variant of growth, often with a family tendency.
Clinical signs
Growth is consistently below expected percentiles, but the child is otherwise healthy and proportionate. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, especially when growth pattern, family history, and pubertal timing are noted.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents constitutional short stature as the diagnosis or explains short stature as a normal growth variant. It may apply during evaluation of delayed growth when no endocrine, genetic, nutritional, or systemic cause is identified. Check documentation if the record is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use it for short stature caused by malnutrition, chronic illness, endocrine disorders, or known syndromes. If the chart does not clearly support constitutional short stature, do not assume it.
Coding tip
Confirm that the provider explicitly links the short stature to a constitutional pattern before assigning E34.31.