U00-U49: Provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain etiology or emergency use

U38: Emergency use of U38

The ICD-10 code U38 refers to a group of conditions that are classified under emergency use. These are diseases or health conditions that have been newly identified and do not have an existing classification within standard ICD-10 codes. They are typically urgent, unforeseen, or unusual in nature and require immediate medical attention. The conditions under this group may vary widely in terms of their symptoms, disease progression, and affected systems in the body. They might be caused by different pathogens, environmental factors, or genetic mutations, and their mode of transmission could also differ significantly. Certain U38 conditions might exhibit minor symptoms, while others might lead to severe or life-threatening health complications. This is a broadly defined category aimed at registering and monitoring new conditions or diseases that have global health importance.