Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium
Use
This test is useful for detecting in utero drug exposure to amphetamine-type stimulants up to 5 months before birth. It employs a chain of custody process which is necessary when testing results may be used in legal proceedings. This process ensures that the specimen has been secure and untampered from the point of collection through testing, thereby preserving the integrity of the results for court use. Illicit amphetamine use during pregnancy can have implications such as maternal abruption, prematurity, and growth parameters decrease in newborns.
Special Instructions
The test requires special handling with a chain-of-custody process, ensuring proper documentation and sealing of the specimen from collection through testing. Chain of Custody Meconium Kit (T653) is used for submitting specimens, and specimens should ideally be sent via overnight shipment for chain-of-custody cases.
Limitations
This test specifically detects amphetamines, methamphetamines, and related compounds in meconium specimens. It does not account for other drug use or types that might not be captured within the meconium matrix. The complex disposition of drugs in meconium, involving deposition from bile and amniotic fluid, may vary, which potentially limits accurate quantitation in some cases. The test does not differentiate between prescription and illicit sources of detected metabolites and is only intended to be predictive of drug exposure, not diagnostic of any health outcome in the infant.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 69021-4
- 26959-7
- 69022-2
- 69023-0
- 69024-8
- 69025-5
- 69050-3
- 77202-0
Result Turnaround Time
2-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Other
Volume
1 g (approximately 1 teaspoon)
Minimum Volume
0.3 g (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
Collection Instructions
Collect entire random meconium specimen. Ensure specimens maintain chain-of-custody integrity: seal intact and send via overnight shipment.
Causes for Rejection
Specimens that are grossly bloody or from diapers. Broken chain-of-custody seal.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |