Synonym: VMA

CPT 4 Code: 84585

Test Order Mnemonic: VMA URINE

Test Includes: Concentration, amount excreted/24 hours, amount excreted/mg creatinine, total volume

Lab: Clinical Chemistry

Request Form: Special Chemistry Form 2

Patient Preparation: Patient should be off medications for two days prior to and during collection.

Collection: 24-Hour Urine: Discard early morning specimen. Start timing from this point. Collect all urine over the next 24 hours including sample voided at the same time the next morning. Random samples are acceptable if pH is less than 7.0.

Storage Instructions: Refrigerate during collection and until delivered to the laboratory.

Causes for Rejection: pH greater than 7, small samples with excessive acid added.

Availability: Samples are received 24 hours per day at Sample Management, Room 5.136 McCullough.

Turnaround Time: Routine: 48-72 hours; test is performed Monday - Friday

Special Instructions: Adult collection: Collect in a clean, amber bottle containing 30 mL of 6N HCl. Pediatric collection: Collect in a clean, amber bottle containing 15 mL of 6N HCl. Record 24-hour volume on the request form if an aliquot is sent to the lab.

Specimen: Urine

Volume: Entire 24-hour collection is preferred; 50 mL aliquot of 24-hour sample with 24-hour collection volume noted on the form is acceptable.

Minimum Volume: 10 mL urine

Container: Adult: 24-hour collection bottle with 30 mL of 6N hydrochloric acid. Children: 24-hour collection bottle with 15 mL of 6N hydrochloric acid. Infants: Amount of hydrochloric acid depends on the volume of urine collected.

Reference Ranges: Adults: 1.5-7.0 mg/24 hours; Children: under 1 yr, <1 mg/24 hour (6-15 mg/gm creatinine); 1-5 yrs, 1-3 mg/24 hrs (4-11 mg/gm creatinine); 6-15 yrs, 1.5-4.0 mg/24 hrs (2-7 mg/gm Creatinine); over 15 yrs, >2.5 mg/24 hours (1.5-4.5 mg/gm Creatinine)

Critical Values: 2-3 times normal

Test Method: HPLC

Reviewed/revised April 2007 by P. Harris