Meconium Drug Panel

Meconium Comprehensive Drug Panel, Meconium Drug Screen, MEC panel

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB479, Beaker: Drug Scr Mec, CHW: LAB479

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

This panel includes testing for the presence of:

• THC Metabolite Meconium
• Morphine Meconium
• Codeine Meconium
• Hydrocodone Meconium
• Hydromorphone Meconium
• Oxycodone Meconium
• Oxymorphone Meconium
• Cocaine Metabolite Meconium
• Amphetamine Meconium
• Methamphetamine Meconium
• Methadone Meconium
• Fentanyl Meconium
  

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect:  Meconium in Sterile Screw-Capped Container.

Preferred Volume to Collect: 5.0 g (about the size of a marble)
Minimum Volume to Collect: 1.0 g (approximately 1 teaspoon) 

• The specimen should be collected into (or transferred from a diaper- diapers not accepted) a clean dry plastic container (no swabs).
• Transport specimen to the lab immediately.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 5.0 g meconium, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 1.0 g)

Rejection Criteria

• Yellow stool specimens may be rejected.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Transport: 5.0 g meconium, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 1.0 g)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 72 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Corewell Health Reference Laboratory, Grand Rapids, MI.

Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Results available in 1-3 days.

Reference Range

Cutoff Limits:
Amphetamines          20.0 ng/g
Cocaine/Metab.         20.0 ng/g
Cannabinoids            10.0 ng/g
Opiates                       20.0 ng/g
        (codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone and oxymorphone)  

Methadone/EDDP     20.0 ng/g
Fentanyl                        5.0 ng/g

Test Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)

Clinical Utility

Use to detect and document maternal drug use. Useful during approximately the last trimester of a full-term pregnancy.

For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use.

CPT Codes

80365
80324
80349
80353
80358
G0480

Contacts

Last Updated

12/3/2025