ICD-10 Code K90.829 – Short bowel syndrome, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K90.829 – Short bowel syndrome, unspecified
What it is
K90.829 identifies short bowel syndrome when the record does not specify a cause or other detail. Use it for malabsorption related to reduced functional small intestine length when documentation is limited.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly noted findings include chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss, dehydration, and nutritional deficiencies after extensive small-bowel resection or loss of absorptive surface.
When to use this code
Use K90.829 when the provider documents short bowel syndrome but does not identify it as congenital, postprocedural, or another specified form. It also fits chart notes that confirm the syndrome without further detail. Check documentation if the cause or surgical history is described elsewhere.
Do not use for
Do not use this code if the record specifies another short bowel syndrome category or a different malabsorption disorder. Avoid assigning it when short bowel syndrome is only suspected and not documented.
Coding tip
Confirm whether the note documents an unspecified syndrome versus a more specific etiology before coding K90.829.