AFP, Maternal Serum
9 days
Chemiluminescent immunoassay
Complete information is necessary to interpret the test. Patient information may be provided to the laboratory using the Maternal Prenatal Screening request form (0900). Specimens must be collected before amniocentesis. Open spina bifida screening is offered for gestational ages 15.0 to 23.9 weeks. The optimal gestational age for open spina bifida screening is 16.0 to 18.9 weeks.
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AFP test used in pregnancy to screen for open neural tube defects.
Serum
3 mL
Gel barrier tube
No special preparation is required for this test. You may eat, drink, and take your medications as normal, unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
Send complete specimen in the original tube. Do not pour off. Maternal Serum specimens must be drawn prior to amniocentesis to avoid contamination with fetal blood.
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
| Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |