U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027

O68 ICD-10-CM Code: Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balance

A clear reference for the official code description, hierarchy, and related coding information from the FY 2027 U.S. release.

Code definition

Official description

O68

Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balance

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification

Classification

Where O68 sits

  1. 1

    Chapter 15

    Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)

  2. 2

    Section

    Complications of labor and delivery (O60-O77)

  3. 3

    Category O68

    Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balance

  4. 4

    Code O68

    Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balance

Documentation details

Notes for this code

Inclusion terms

  • Fetal acidemia complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal acidosis complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal alkalosis complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal metabolic acidemia complicating labor and delivery

Code first

No “code first” instruction is listed for O68.

Use additional code

No “use additional code” instruction is listed for O68.

Excludes1

Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.

  • fetal stress NOS (O77.9)
  • labor and delivery complicated by electrocardiographic evidence of fetal stress (O77.8)
  • labor and delivery complicated by ultrasonic evidence of fetal stress (O77.8)

Excludes2

Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.

  • abnormality in fetal heart rate or rhythm (O76)
  • labor and delivery complicated by meconium in amniotic fluid (O77.0)

Transparency

Source and release

Data release

U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027

Effective date

Oct 1, 2026

Publisher

Vero Scribe Inc.

This reference is generated from Vero’s ICD-10-CM description, hierarchy, and code-note dataset. The visible content and structured data share that source.

Review the CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM source

Code-specific guidance

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM code O68 mean?

O68 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balance.”

Is O68 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?

Yes. In the FY 2027 reference data used on this page, O68 has no child codes and is presented as a billable/specific code. Always confirm the active code set and payer requirements before use.

Where is O68 located in ICD-10-CM?

O68 is listed in Chapter 15, Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A), within Complications of labor and delivery (O60-O77) (O60–O77), under category O68, Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balance.

What coding notes are listed for O68?

Its listed inclusion terms are Fetal acidemia complicating labor and delivery; Fetal acidosis complicating labor and delivery; Fetal alkalosis complicating labor and delivery; Fetal metabolic acidemia complicating labor and delivery. No code-first instruction is listed. Excludes1 notes: fetal stress NOS (O77.9); labor and delivery complicated by electrocardiographic evidence of fetal stress (O77.8); labor and delivery complicated by ultrasonic evidence of fetal stress (O77.8). Excludes2 notes: abnormality in fetal heart rate or rhythm (O76); labor and delivery complicated by meconium in amniotic fluid (O77.0).

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