Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Confirmation, Meconium
Use
This test is useful for detecting in utero exposure to amphetamine-type stimulants up to 5 months before birth. The exposure can be identified in meconium, which may indicate maternal consumption of substances such as amphetamines, methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), MDA, and MDEA. The presence of these substances can be associated with maternal complications like abruption or negative neonatal outcomes including prematurity and low birth weight.
Special Instructions
For chain-of-custody testing, order AMPMX / Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
Limitations
The disposition of drugs in meconium is not well understood. The proposed mechanism is the fetus excretes drug into bile and amniotic fluid, accumulating in meconium through direct deposit from bile or swallowing amniotic fluid. Presence of drugs in meconium may not be indicative of usage throughout pregnancy.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 69021-4
- 43934-9
- 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)
Container
Stool container
Collection Instructions
Collect entire random meconium specimen.
Causes for Rejection
Grossly bloody specimens; Stool in diapers.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |