Developmental Regression
SNOMED CT Concept for Developmental Regression
In SNOMED CT, developmental regression is represented by the concept Developmental regression (finding), SCTID 62213004 — a clinical finding for the loss of previously acquired milestones, distinct from primary delay. It is a record-level terminology concept that maps to ICD-11 for morbidity classification, and clinically functions as a red flag warranting prompt evaluation.
When a child loses skills they once had, the first clinical task is to name the phenomenon precisely — and SNOMED CT gives that language.
In short
In SNOMED CT, developmental regression is represented by the concept Developmental regression (finding), SCTID 62213004, a clinical finding describing the loss of previously acquired developmental milestones (language, social, motor or adaptive). It sits within the body of clinical findings used to capture functional change over time, and is distinct from primary developmental delay (where skills were never attained). Note that SNOMED CT is a clinical terminology for the electronic record — for statistical and diagnostic classification you would map to the appropriate ICD-11 category.How the concept is used
Developmental regression is a finding, not a diagnosis — it flags a pattern that warrants aetiological workup rather than naming a cause. Key points for coding and clinical reasoning:- Specify domain and trajectory — regression of expressive language differs clinically from global or motor regression; capture the affected domain and timeline in the record.
- Map deliberately across systems — SNOMED CT supports the EHR; align with ICD-11 for morbidity coding, recognising that one-to-one equivalence is not guaranteed and local terminology releases (including SNOMED CT India editions) may refine subtypes.
- Treat as a red flag — any genuine loss of acquired skills, at any age, warrants prompt clinical evaluation to exclude treatable neurological, metabolic or seizure-related causes before a developmental formulation is finalised.
When to escalate
Documented regression — particularly rapid loss, motor regression, or regression with seizures or altered consciousness — is a medical-urgency presentation, not a therapy-first pathway. Route to paediatric neurology for investigation alongside developmental assessment.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are established only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a code lookup or an online form. SNOMED CT gives the shared vocabulary; the structured clinician-administered AbilityScore® gives the functional baseline. When regression is suspected, our teams coordinate developmental evaluation with speech and language therapy and onward medical referral as needed. Explore how we support families [here](/).Trusted sources
SNOMED International (SNOMED CT clinical terminology); WHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics; WHO ICF framework for functioning.Next step — Have a child presenting with skill loss? [Connect with a Pinnacle clinical team](/) to coordinate assessment and referral.
What to watch
Any genuine loss of previously acquired skills — language, social, motor or adaptive — at any age, especially when rapid, accompanied by seizures, or affecting motor function.
Try this at home
When coding regression in the EHR, always document the affected domain and timeline rather than the bare finding — it materially changes the workup and onward referral.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
What is the SNOMED CT concept ID for developmental regression?
Developmental regression is represented by the SNOMED CT concept Developmental regression (finding), SCTID 62213004. It is a clinical finding describing the loss of previously acquired developmental milestones.
How does developmental regression differ from developmental delay in coding?
Regression denotes loss of skills that were once attained, whereas delay denotes skills not reached on the expected timeline. They are distinct findings and should not be coded interchangeably, as they imply different clinical workups.
Does SNOMED CT replace ICD-11 for this concept?
No. SNOMED CT is a clinical terminology for the electronic health record, while ICD-11 is used for morbidity and mortality classification. You map between them deliberately, as one-to-one equivalence is not guaranteed.
Is developmental regression a diagnosis?
No — it is a clinical finding, not a diagnosis. It flags a pattern that requires aetiological investigation to exclude neurological, metabolic or seizure-related causes before a developmental formulation is made.