Acetylcholinesterase
Use
Acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid is used to confirm fetal open neural tube defects and open ventral abdominal wall defects; hemoglobin F is typically ordered simultaneously to exclude fetal blood contamination.
Special Instructions
Automatically performed on all alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP) amniotic fluid specimens when maternal MoM (multiple of the median) is ≥1.99; for New York patient testing, use test code 10230. Collect gestational age, collection date, clinical indication, and AFP/MoM results on the requisition.
Limitations
Substantial hemorrhage into amniotic fluid may cause increases in AChE and AFP, potentially causing false positives; cannot detect subtle rearrangements, microduplications, most microdeletion syndromes (e.g., DiGeorge, Prader‑Willi, Angelman, Williams, Smith‑Magenis), mosaicism below 14% (95% confidence), or single‑gene disorders such as fragile X, cystic fibrosis, Marfan syndrome, neurofibromatosis.
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Amniotic Fluid
Volume
1.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
sterile transport tube
Collection Instructions
Collect in a sterile transport tube. Indicate gestational age, collection date, clinical indication, and AFP and MoM results, if available, on the requisition.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 4 months |
| Frozen | 3 years |