ICD-10 Code D57.451 – Sickle-cell thalassemia beta plus with acute chest syndrome (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D57.451 – Sickle-cell thalassemia beta plus with acute chest syndrome
What it is
This code identifies sickle-cell thalassemia beta-plus, a hereditary hemoglobin disorder, when the patient also has acute chest syndrome. Use it when documentation links the sickling disorder to this pulmonary complication.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Acute chest syndrome is generally associated with new pulmonary symptoms, such as chest pain, cough, fever, or shortness of breath, in a patient with sickle-cell disease.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record clearly states sickle-cell thalassemia beta-plus and acute chest syndrome together. It is appropriate for inpatient or outpatient encounters where the provider documents the complication as current, active, or treated during the visit.
If the note mentions only the hemoglobinopathy without acute chest syndrome, choose the base sickle-cell thalassemia code instead. If the chest syndrome is suspected but not confirmed, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for sickle-cell thalassemia without acute chest syndrome, or for other sickle-cell variants unless beta-plus is specified. Check documentation if the type of thalassemia or complication is unclear.
Coding tip
Confirm both elements in the provider note: the beta-plus thalassemia type and the acute chest syndrome complication.