ICD-10 Code E63.0 – Essential fatty acid [EFA] deficiency (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E63.0 – Essential fatty acid [EFA] deficiency
What it is
E63.0 identifies a deficiency of essential fatty acids, nutrients the body cannot make on its own. Use it when documentation clearly states essential fatty acid deficiency or a related nutritional deficiency diagnosis.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Standard references describe dry, scaly skin, poor growth, and other signs of nutritional deficiency, but you should code only what is documented.
When to use this code
Use E63.0 when the provider documents essential fatty acid deficiency as the diagnosis, whether from inadequate intake, malabsorption, or another confirmed cause. It may also fit when the record links the condition to a broader nutritional deficiency picture. Check documentation if the etiology is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for general malnutrition, weight loss, or unspecified vitamin deficiency unless essential fatty acid deficiency is explicitly documented. If the chart does not confirm EFA deficiency, choose a more precise documented diagnosis.
Coding tip
If the note says “fatty acid deficiency” without “essential,” verify the wording before assigning E63.0.