2006 ICD-9-CM Volume 1 Diagnosis Codes Home > Certain Conditions Originating In The Perinatal Period 760-779 > Other Conditions Originating In The Perinatal Period 764-779 > ICD-9-CM Diagnosis 769 Respiratory distress syndrome in newborn A disorder affecting newborn infants (usually premature) characterized pathologically by the development of a hyaline-like membrane lining the terminal respiratory passages. Extensive atelectasis is attributed to the lack of surfactant. A condition of the newborn marked by DYSPNEA with CYANOSIS, heralded by such prodromal signs as dilatation of the alae nasi, expiratory grunt, and retraction of the suprasternal notch or costal margins, mostly frequently occurring in premature infants, children of diabetic mothers, and infants delivered by cesarean section, and sometimes with no apparent predisposing cause. 769 is a specific code that can be used to specify a diagnosis 769 contains 12 index entries