Drugs of Abuse Screen, Meconium 5
Use
The test is useful for identifying substances such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, phencyclidine, and metabolites of cocaine and marijuana in meconium specimens. It provides insights into maternal drug use during pregnancy, which can be associated with perinatal complications like stillbirths, maternal hemorrhage, premature births, and neonatal distress. It reflects drug exposure during the last four to five months of pregnancy, offering an historical measure of in-utero drug exposure.
Special Instructions
For chain-of-custody testing, it is advised to order DSM5X / Drugs of Abuse Screen 5, Chain of Custody, Meconium. If not ordering electronically, complete and send a Therapeutics Test Request Form with the specimen.
Limitations
A positive result signifies drug exposure, with the potential for variability in the limit of quantitation across drug groups. 6MAM, a heroin metabolite, may convert to morphine if not frozen within 24 hours. m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, deteriorates if not frozen within 72 hours.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (CLIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 49046-6
- 26895-3
- 27289-8
- 26956-3
- 29158-3
- 26859-9
- 26893-8
- 77202-0
Result Turnaround Time
1-2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Stool
Volume
1 g (approximately 1 teaspoon)
Minimum Volume
0.45 g (approximately 0.5 teaspoon)
Container
Stool container
Collection Instructions
Collect entire random meconium specimen.
Causes for Rejection
Grossly bloody or diaper-contained stool will be rejected.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 72 hours |
| Refrigerated | 21 days |
| Frozen | 21 days |