ICD-10-CM Codes
R00-R99 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
R50-R69 General symptoms and signs
R68- Other general symptoms and signs

2019 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R68.13

Apparent life threatening event in infant (ALTE)

2016

2017

2018

2019

Billable/Specific Code

Pediatric Dx (0-17 years)

R68.13 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
The 2019 edition of ICD-10-CM R68.13 became effective on October 1, 2018.
This is the American ICD-10-CM version of R68.13 - other international versions of ICD-10 R68.13 may differ.

ICD-10-CM Coding Rules

R68.13 is applicable to pediatric patients aged 0 - 17 years inclusive.

Applicable To

Apparent life threatening event in newborn
Brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE)

Use Additional

Use Additional Help

Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation. In most cases the manifestation codes will have in the code title, "in diseases classified elsewhere." Codes with this title are a component of the etiology/manifestation convention. The code title indicates that it is a manifestation code. "In diseases classified elsewhere" codes are never permitted to be used as first listed or principle diagnosis codes. They must be used in conjunction with an underlying condition code and they must be listed following the underlying condition.

code(s) for associated signs and symptoms if no confirmed diagnosis established, or if signs and symptoms are not associated routinely with confirmed diagnosis, or provide additional information for cause of ALTE

Code First

Code First Help

Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation. In most cases the manifestation codes will have in the code title, "in diseases classified elsewhere." Codes with this title are a component of the etiology/manifestation convention. The code title indicates that it is a manifestation code. "In diseases classified elsewhere" codes are never permitted to be used as first listed or principle diagnosis codes. They must be used in conjunction with an underlying condition code and they must be listed following the underlying condition.

confirmed diagnosis, if known

The following code(s) above R68.13 contain annotation back-references

Annotation Back-References

In this context, annotation back-references refer to codes that contain:

Applicable To annotations, or
Code Also annotations, or
Code First annotations, or
Excludes1 annotations, or
Excludes2 annotations, or
Includes annotations, or
Note annotations, or
Use Additional annotations

that may be applicable to R68.13:

R00-R99
2019 ICD-10-CM Range R00-R99
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
Note
- This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
- Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
- The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
- (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
- (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
- (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
- (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
- (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
- (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.
Type 2 Excludes
- abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
- signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
R68.1
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R68.1
Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy
Type 1 Excludes
- colic, infantile (R10.83)
- neonatal cerebral irritability (P91.3)
- teething syndrome (K00.7)
Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

Approximate Synonyms

Apparent life threatening event in infant

ICD-10-CM R68.13 is grouped within Diagnostic Related Group(s) (MS-DRG v36.0):

951 Other factors influencing health status

Convert R68.13 to ICD-9-CM

Code History

2016 (effective 10/1/2015): New code (first year of non-draft ICD-10-CM)
2017 (effective 10/1/2016): No change
2018 (effective 10/1/2017): No change
2019 (effective 10/1/2018): No change

Diagnosis Index entries containing back-references to R68.13:

ALTE R68.13 (apparent life threatening event)
BRUE R68.13 (brief resolved unexplained event)
Event
- apparent life threatening in newborn and infant R68.13 (ALTE)
- brief resolved unexplained event R68.13 (BRUE)
Newborn (infant) (liveborn) (singleton) Z38.2
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z38.2
Single liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth
Applicable To
Single liveborn infant NOS
- affected by
  - apparent life threatening event R68.13 (ALTE)

ICD-10-CM Codes Adjacent To R68.13

R65.10 …… without acute organ dysfunction

R65.11 …… with acute organ dysfunction

R65.2 Severe sepsis

R65.20 …… without septic shock

R65.21 …… with septic shock

R68 Other general symptoms and signs

R68.0 Hypothermia, not associated with low environmental temperature

R68.1 Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

R68.11 Excessive crying of infant (baby)

R68.12 Fussy infant (baby)

R68.13 Apparent life threatening event in infant (ALTE)

R68.19 Other nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

R68.2 Dry mouth, unspecified

R68.3 Clubbing of fingers

R68.8 Other general symptoms and signs

R68.81 Early satiety

R68.82 Decreased libido

R68.83 Chills (without fever)

R68.84 Jaw pain

R68.89 Other general symptoms and signs

R69 Illness, unspecified

Reimbursement claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015 require the use of ICD-10-CM codes.

2019 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R68.13

Apparent life threatening event in infant (ALTE)

Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified

Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

Single liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth