D55.0

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

A type of anemia caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), which normally helps protect red blood cells from damage. People with this condition may experience hemolytic crises when exposed to certain medications, infections, or foods like fava beans.

Coding Tips

• •Specify if hemolytic crisis is present, as this affects severity coding
• •Document any triggering factors (medications, infections, fava bean exposure) in the medical record for complete clinical picture

Clinical Significance

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is the most common human enzymopathy, affecting over 400 million people worldwide, predominantly males of African, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian descent. It causes episodic hemolytic anemia triggered by oxidative stressors including certain medications (sulfonamides, antimalarials, nitrofurantoin), infections, and fava bean ingestion. Between crises, patients may be completely asymptomatic, making documentation of the underlying condition essential for risk capture.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Document the confirmed diagnosis of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency with laboratory confirmation (enzyme activity assay), current hemolytic crisis status if applicable, known triggers, and baseline hemoglobin levels.
• ✓Record any history of hemolytic episodes, medications to avoid, and ongoing monitoring plan.
• ✓If a hemolytic crisis is occurring, document the triggering agent and severity.

Commonly Confused Codes