Ethyl Glucuronide, Umbilical Cord Tissue, Qualitative

Methodology: Qualitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

This test is designed to detect and document exposure that occurred during approximately the last trimester of a full term pregnancy, to ethyl glucuronide, a common ethanol (alcohol) metabolite. Alternative testing is available to detect other drug exposures. The pattern and frequency of alcohol used by the mother cannot be determined by this test. A negative result does not exclude the possibility that a mother used alcohol during pregnancy. Detection of alcohol in umbilical cord tissue depends on extent of maternal use, as well as stability, unique characteristics of alcohol deposition in umbilical cord tissue, and the performance of the analytical method. Detection of alcohol in umbilical cord tissue does not insinuate impairment and may not affect outcomes for the infant. Interpretive questions should be directed to the laboratory.

Caution must be used when collecting specimen, to ensure no ethanol-containing personal care products (i.e., hand sanitizers, wipes, mouthwash) are used directly on the specimen or nearby during collection.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.