Detecting in utero exposure to amphetamine-type stimulants up to 5 months before birth
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Desoxyn
MDA Metabolite
MDMA
Methamphetamines
Methyelendioxyamphetamine Metabolite
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
Speed
Meconium
For chain-of-custody testing, order AMPMX / Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium.
Supplies: Stool container, Small (Random), 4 oz (T288)
Container/Tube: Stool container
Specimen Volume: 1 g (approximately 1 teaspoon)
Collection Instructions: Collect entire random meconium specimen.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
0.3 g (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
Grossly bloody | Reject; Pink OK |
Stool Diapers | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Meconium | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
Ambient | 28 days | ||
Refrigerated | 28 days |
Detecting in utero exposure to amphetamine-type stimulants up to 5 months before birth
Several stimulants and hallucinogens chemically related to phenylethylamine are referred to collectively as the amphetamine-type stimulants (amphetamines). Generally, this refers to the prescription and illicit amphetamines including amphetamine; methamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy); 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA).(1) Methamphetamine has become a drug of choice among stimulant abusers because of its availability and ease of production.
The metabolism of amphetamine consists of hydroxylation and deamination followed by conjugation with glucuronic acid. Methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine; both should be present in urine after methamphetamine use. Both MDMA and MDEA are metabolized to MDA.(1)
The disposition of drug in meconium is not well understood. The proposed mechanism is that the fetus excretes drug into bile and amniotic fluid. Drug accumulates in meconium either by direct deposit from bile or through swallowing of amniotic fluid.(2) The first evidence of meconium in the fetal intestine appears at approximately the tenth to twelfth week of gestation, and slowly moves into the colon by the sixteenth week of gestation.(3) Therefore, the presence of drugs in meconium has been proposed to be indicative of in utero drug exposure during the final 4 to 5 months of pregnancy, a longer historical measure than is possible by urinalysis.(2)
Intrauterine drug exposure to amphetamines has been associated with maternal abruption, prematurity, and decreased growth parameters, such as low birthweight.(4) Some intrauterine amphetamine-exposed infants may develop hypertonia, tremors, and poor feeding and abnormal sleep patterns.(5)
Negative
Positives are reported with a quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) result.
Cutoff concentrations for LC-MS/MS testing:
Amphetamine: 20 ng/g
Methamphetamine: 20 ng/g
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine: 20 ng/g
3,4-Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine: 20 ng/g
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: 20 ng/g
The presence of any of the following: amphetamine; methamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; or 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine at greater than 20 ng/g is indicative of in utero exposure up to 5 months before birth.
No significant cautionary statements
1. Baselt RC: Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemical in Man. 8th ed. Biochemical Publications; 2008:83-86; 947-952; 993-999
2. Ostrea EM Jr, Brady MJ, Parks PM, Asensio DC, Naluz: Drug screening of meconium in infants of drug-dependent mothers: an alternative to urine testing. J Pediatr. 1989 Sep;115(3):474-477
3. Ahanya SN, Lakshmanan J, Morgan BL, Ross MG: Meconium passage in utero: mechanisms, consequences, and management. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2005 Jan;60(1):45-56
4. Kwong TC, Ryan RM: Detection of intrauterine illicit drug exposure by newborn drug testing. National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry. Clin Chem. 1997 Jan;43(1):235-242
5. Dixon SD: Effects of transplacental exposure to cocaine and methamphetamine on the neonate. West J Med. 1989 Apr;150(4):436-442
Meconium is mixed with internal standard and extracted with methanol. The methanolic extract is further processed by solid phase extraction. The extract is analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Monday through Sunday
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
80324
80359
G0480 (if appropriate)
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
AMPHM | Amphetamines, Confirmation, M | 69021-4 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
31854 | Amphetamine | 43934-9 |
31855 | Methamphetamine | 69022-2 |
31856 | 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine | 69023-0 |
31858 | 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine | 69024-8 |
31857 | 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine | 69025-5 |
31882 | Interpretation | 69050-3 |
31883 | Chain of Custody | 77202-0 |