Name of the Condition

• Personal History of Pre-term Labor
• ICD Code: Z87.51

Summary

• This ICD code is used to indicate a patient's past medical history of pre-term labor, which refers to labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It's important in medical records as it may influence current or future pregnancies.

Causes

• Pre-term labor can be caused by multiple factors, including maternal age, infections, chronic conditions, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or heavy physical exertion.

Risk Factors

• Previous history of pre-term birth
• Short interval between pregnancies
• Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Certain uterine or cervical abnormalities

Symptoms

• Contractions occurring more than every ten minutes
• Persistent low backache
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Diagnosis

• While this code pertains to past history, diagnosing active pre-term labor involves monitoring contraction patterns, cervical changes through ultrasound or physical exams, and potentially fetal fibronectin tests.

Treatment Options

• Preventive treatments may have included lifestyle modifications or medications like progesterone. In an active labor scenario, treatments could involve medication to suppress contractions or interventions to enhance fetal lung maturity.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• Women with a history of pre-term labor should have regular prenatal care to monitor any sign of recurrence. Awareness and preparedness can improve maternal and fetal outcomes in successive pregnancies.

Complications

• Untreated pre-term labor may lead to premature birth, which poses risks such as breathing difficulties, developmental delays, and other serious health problems for the newborn.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition, avoiding stressful activities, and regular prenatal care can help manage and potentially prevent pre-term labor.

When to Seek Professional Help

• If experiencing symptoms of pre-term labor, such as frequent contractions, consult a healthcare provider immediately to prevent possible premature delivery.

Additional Resources

• March of Dimes: marchofdimes.org
• Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.org
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): acog.org

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure documentation in the patient's medical history explicitly mentions past pre-term labor to justify using this code.
• Avoid using this code for current or impending pre-term labor situations. Use appropriate codes to document active conditions.