A48.51

What This Code Means

Infant botulism is a serious condition where toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria grow in a baby's intestines, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. This condition typically affects infants under 12 months old and can result in difficulty feeding, weak crying, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.

Coding Tips

• •Verify the patient's age is documented as an infant (typically under 12 months) to ensure appropriate code selection, as botulism in older children and adults uses different codes
• •Look for documentation of the source (often honey exposure) and clinical manifestations such as constipation, hypotonia, weak cry, or respiratory compromise to support the diagnosis