ICD-10 Code for Malnutrition
The ICD-10-CM code for malnutrition is E46 — Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition. This is the code the Alphabetic Index gives for malnutrition with no further qualifier, valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
E46 is billable but unspecified. If the documentation names a type, site or cause, one of the more specific codes below is likely expected.
Which malnutrition code should you use?
The Alphabetic Index lists 10 codes under Malnutrition. Which one applies depends on the qualifier documented in the record — the type, site, cause, or associated condition. Find the qualifier below, then verify the code in the Tabular List before using it.
By type
| following gastrointestinal surgery | K91.2 | Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified | |
| lack of care, or neglect | T76.02 | Child neglect or abandonment, suspected | not billable |
| malignant | E40 | Kwashiorkor | |
| protein | E46 | Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| severe | E43 | Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition |
Malnutrition degree
| first | E44.1 | Mild protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| mild | E44.1 | Mild protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| moderate | E44.0 | Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| second | E44.0 | Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| severe | E43 | Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| third | E43 | Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| severe › intermediate form | E42 | Marasmic kwashiorkor | |
| severe › with › kwashiorkor | E40 | Kwashiorkor | |
| severe › with › marasmus | E41 | Nutritional marasmus | |
| severe › intermediate form › with › kwashiorkor | E42 | Marasmic kwashiorkor |
Malnutrition lack of care, or neglect
| confirmed | T74.02 | Child neglect or abandonment, confirmed | not billable |
Malnutrition protein
| calorie | E46 | Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| energy | E46 | Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| calorie › mild | E44.1 | Mild protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| calorie › moderate | E44.0 | Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| calorie › severe | E43 | Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| energy › mild | E44.1 | Mild protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| energy › moderate | E44.0 | Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| energy › severe | E43 | Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition | |
| calorie › severe › intermediate form | E42 | Marasmic kwashiorkor | |
| energy › severe › intermediate form | E42 | Marasmic kwashiorkor | |
| calorie › severe › with › kwashiorkor | E40 | Kwashiorkor | |
| calorie › severe › with › marasmus | E41 | Nutritional marasmus | |
| energy › severe › with › kwashiorkor | E40 | Kwashiorkor | |
| energy › severe › with › marasmus | E41 | Nutritional marasmus | |
| calorie › severe › intermediate form › with › kwashiorkor | E42 | Marasmic kwashiorkor | |
| energy › severe › intermediate form › with › kwashiorkor | E42 | Marasmic kwashiorkor |
Index terms and codes are reproduced from the official ICD-10-CM FY2027 release. The Alphabetic Index is a finding aid — a code must always be verified in the Tabular List before it is reported. Data sources