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ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN, Maternal Serum (087-3750, 087-3744, 087-0041)
Clinical Indication:

Screening test for neural tube defects (anencephaly, spina bifida) and Downs Syndrome of the fetus in pregnant women between 14 and 21 weeks gestation. For use as a tumor marker, see Alpha-Fetoprotein, serum.
Test Mnemonic:

 AFP-MS1

Methodology:

Immunoenzymatic
Performed:

Special Chemistry;   Monday – Friday:  7 am – 3:30 pm.              

Turnaround Time:

 M-F: within 24 hours
Specimen Requirements:

 Patient Preparation:  Patient must be in the 2nd Trimester of pregnancy (within 15 weeks, 0 days and 20weeks, 6 days).

Collect:  7 mL of blood in SST (gold top) tube or red stoppered tube. When screening for neural tube defect and Down Syndrome, a 'Patient Information Form for AFP Testing' must be completed - includes age, race, weight, insulin dependence, and gestation age. (Min: 3 mL of blood).   

Specimen Preparation: Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum from collection tube to labeled plastic transport tube.   

 Storage/Transport:   Delivered to Sample Management within 2 hours of collection.  

Stability:  Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature   for no longer than eight hours;  Refrigerated  for 48 hours; Freeze at -20°C or colder (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles).  

Causes for Rejection: Incomplete and/or incorrect sample identification, improper storage/transport, and gross hemolysis or lipemia.            
Clinical Information:

If applicable, state clinical information that is required to be provided with specimen.
Reference Range:

By report (Reports may vary based on instrumentation, patient age and gender)
Note:

Blood should be drawn before amniocentesis.  Not available on Week-ends
CPT 4 Code:

82105, 84702, 82677  Limited Coverage Test NCD)
  Reviewed: by Tho Nguyen, MT(ASCP) 7/5/13

When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient.  Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually.  The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-9 code or its verbal equivalent.

 

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