Test Directory
| Test Code | |
| AMCHE | |
| Test Name | |
| Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid | |
| CPT Codes | |
| 82013 | |
| Expected Turnaround Time | |
| 2 - 3 days | |
| Clinical Utility | |
| Diagnose fetal open neural tube defects and some ventral wall defects. | |
| Specimen and Container Info | |
|
Preferred Specimen Type: Amniotic Fluid
Preferred Collection Container: Sterile, Non-additive Container Desired Specimen Volume: 2 mL |
|
| Collection Instructions | |
| Discard the first 2 mL of the amniotic fluid collection. Avoid contamination of amniotic fluid with maternal or fetal blood. As little as one drop of fetal blood can cause false-positive results during assay of amniotic fluid. | |
| Processing and Submission Instructions | |
|
**Requires Integrated Genetics Test Requisition** Patient's gestational age must be at least 12 weeks for interpretation of a-fetoprotein. State gestational age by ultrasound and/or last menstrual period (LMP) on the request form. Note that AChE false-positive and false-negative results are more frequent at gestational ages of less than 13 weeks. Optimal gestational age for detection of AChE is 14 to 18 weeks. |
|
| Transport Instructions | |
|
Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. |
|
| Causes for Rejection | |
|
Specimen found not to be amniotic fluid; gross contamination of amniotic fluid with maternal or fetal blood; quantity not sufficient for analysis. |
|
| Methodology | |
| Immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA); acrylamide gel electrophoresis; isoelectric focusing | |
| Reference Intervals | |
|
See patient report. |
|
| Reference Lab | |
| Integrated Genetics |
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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