Meconium Drug Testing

USDTL was the first laboratory to commercially introduce meconium testing to the market in 1991 and we have been seen as the leaders in newborn toxicology ever since.

Meconium contains the amniotic fluid swallowed by the fetus in the last half of pregnancy and is released as the first stool after birth. It is easier to collect than neonatal urine and provides a much longer window of exposure, up to approximately 20 weeks. Meconium is a useful specimen type for the detection of alcohol and other drugs.

Meconium specimens can only be submitted through hospital or health system accounts.

An unbroken chain of custody ensures specimen collection integrity in several ways that preserve the legal usefulness of alcohol and drug testing results. To protect your hospital, chain of custody should begin at the time of collection.

Drug Panels

For a printable PDF click here.

14 Panel
13 Panel
12 Panel

Amphetamines

amphetamine, MDA, MDEA, MDMA, methamphetamine

Cannabinoids

carboxy-Δ8-THC, carboxy-Δ9-THC, carboxy-cannabidiol (CBD)

Cocaine

benzolecgonine, cocaethylene, cocaine, m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine

Opiates

6-MAM, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meconin, morphine

Phencyclidine

phencyclindine (PCP)

Methadone

EDDP, methadone

Barbiturates

amobarbital, butalbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital

Benzodiazepines

α-hydroxyalprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, nordiazepam, oxazepam, temazepam

Propoxyphene

norpropoxyphene

Oxycodone

oxycodone, oxymorphone

Meperidine

normeperidine

Tramadol

tramadol

Buprenorphine

buprenorphine, norbuprenorphine

Fentanyl

fentanyl, norfentanyl

*Click the green and white plus sign beside each drug class to view the substances within each class.

Add-Ons Available

FAEE (Direct Ethanol Biomarker)

Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester (FAEE)

Collection

Collection Instructions

Client Services

By Phone: 1.800.235.2367

Business Hours (CST)

Monday 7am-7pm
Tuesday 7am-7pm
Wednesday 7am-7pm
Thursday 7am-7pm
Friday 7am-7pm
Saturday 8am-5pm

Contact Client Services

Testing Details

Panel Name: Meconium Testing

Panel Description: Meconium Testing Drug Panel

Type: Profile

Matrix: Meconium

Collection Container: Leak-proof Polypropylene Specimen Cup

Collection Notes: Pool of Multiple Collections

Specimen Requirements: 3 grams (We recommend weighing the specimen on a gem scale.)

Stability Window: Drugs and metabolites are stable in meconium for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Storage in a refrigerator or freezer is preferred.

Transport Conditions: Room Temperature

Method: Initial screen and confirmation

Turnaround Time: Generally, the standard turnaround time for reporting negative screening test results is the next business day, with an additional 1-2 business days for specimens that require confirmatory testing. Turnaround time begins from the receipt of the valid specimen – accompanied by a properly documented valid order – into the laboratory. Some tests require additional processing time and will fall outside the standard turnaround time window.