Q099

Patient Preparation: Specimen must be drawn between 14 weeks, 0 days and 24 weeks, 6 days gestation. The recommended time for maternal serum screening is 16 to 18 weeks gestation.

Collect: Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Plain Red - 1 ml serum.

Specimen Preparation: Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. 

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions: Plasma. Hemolyzed specimens.

Submit with Order: Patient's date of birth, current weight, due date, dating method (US, LMP), number of fetuses present, patient's race, if the patient was diabetic at the time of conception, if there is a known family history of neural tube defects, if the patient has had a previous pregnancy with a trisomy, if the patient is currently smoking, if the patient is taking valproic acid or carbamazepine (Tegretol), if this is a repeat sample, and the age of the egg donor if in vitro fertilization.

Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 72 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.)

At AccuReference: Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 weeks.

Note:   * This test is approved for all states. *