ICD-10 Code F98.3 – Pica of infancy and childhood (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F98.3 – Pica of infancy and childhood
What it is
Pica of infancy and childhood describes a pattern of eating nonfood substances such as dirt, paper, or paint. Use this code when the behavior is persistent and developmentally inappropriate.
Clinical signs
Clinical features include repeated ingestion of nonnutritive, nonfood items and behavior that is not consistent with the child’s developmental level. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use F98.3 when the record clearly documents pica in an infant or child, especially when the behavior is ongoing and clinically significant. Code it when the provider identifies the condition rather than a one-time mouthing episode. If the note only mentions unusual eating behavior without diagnosis, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for normal exploratory mouthing in very young children or for eating behavior better explained by another documented disorder. Check documentation if the chart describes substance use, poisoning, or a different feeding problem.
Coding tip
Assign F98.3 only when the diagnosis is explicitly documented and the nonfood ingestion is more than age-appropriate behavior.