Non-specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 740
Anencephalus and similar anomalies
  • 2015
  • Non-Billable Code

  • There are 3 ICD-9-CM codes below 740 that define this diagnosis in greater detail. Do not use this code on a reimbursement claim.
Clinical Information
  • A malformation of the nervous system caused by failure of the anterior neuropore to close. Infants are born with intact spinal cords, cerebellums, and brainstems, but lack formation of neural structures above this level. The skull is only partially formed but the eyes are usually normal. This condition may be associated with folate deficiency. Affected infants are only capable of primitive (brain stem) reflexes and usually do not survive for more than two weeks. (from menkes, textbook of child neurology, 5th ed, p247)
  • A rare neural tube defect during pregnancy, resulting in the absence of a large portion of the brain and skull in the fetus
  • Congenital malformation of the nervous system caused by failure of the anterior neuropore to close; infants are born with intact spinal cords, cerebellums, and brainstems, but lack formation of neural structures above this level; the skull is only partially formed but the eyes are usually normal; affected infants are only capable of primitive reflexes and usually do not survive for more than two weeks; complete absence of the brain is rare
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 740 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.