Marijuana Metabolite, Umbilical Cord Tissue, Qualitative




Test Mnemonic

DRGTHC

CPT Codes

  • 80349 - QTY (1)

LOINC ®

61063-4

Performing Laboratory

ARUP


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
Other Clean container RefrigeratedAt least 8 inches of umbilical cord (approximately the width of a sheet of paper). Drain and discard any blood. Rinse the exterior of the cord segment with normal saline or water. Pat the cord dry and transport at least 8 inches of umbilical cord in a routine urine collection cup or use the Security Kit for Meconium/Umbilical Drug Detection (ARUP supply #51548).

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
N/A    6 inches

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Frozen1 year
Refrigerated3 weeks
Ambient1 week

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

2 - 4 days

Methodology

Name Description
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) 

Special Info

Cords soaking in blood or other fluid will be rejected. Formalin-fixed specimens are unacceptable. Tissue that is obviously decomposed will be rejected. This test is New York DOH approved.

Clinical Info

This test is designed to detect and document exposure that occurred during approximately the last trimester of a full term pregnancy, to a common cannabis (marijuana) metabolite. Other drug exposures can be detected by alternative testing. The pattern and frequency of drug(s) used by the mother cannot be determined by this test. A negative result does not exclude the possibility that a mother used drugs during pregnancy. Detection of drugs in umbilical cord tissue depends on the extent of maternal drug use, as well as drug stability, unique characteristics of drug deposition in umbilical cord tissue, and the performance of the analytical method. Drugs administered during labor and delivery may be detected. Detection of drugs in umbilical cord tissue does not insinuate impairment and may not affect outcomes for the infant.