Ordering Guidance

The preferred screening test for organic acidemias is OAU / Organic Acids Screen, Random, Urine, which should be ordered unless collecting or sending urine is difficult or not feasible.

Necessary Information

1. Patient's age is required.

2. Biochemical Genetics Patient Information (T602) is recommended, but not required, to be filled out and sent with the specimen to aid in the interpretation of test results.

Specimen Required

Supplies: Card-Blood Spot Collection (Filter Paper) (T493)

Collection Container:

Preferred: Blood Spot Collection Card

Acceptable: Whatman Protein Saver 903 paper, PerkinElmer 226 filter paper, Munktell filter paper

Specimen Volume: 1 Filter paper card soaked with urine, typically requires 2 to 3 mL of urine

Collection Instructions

1. Soak a filter paper card with urine, approximately 22 cm(2) in area (typically requires 2 to 3 mL of urine; exact measurement is not important as urine volume will be normalized to creatinine).

Note: Filter paper sample may be collected by dipping the card into a collection cup of urine. Avoid dilute urine if possible.

2. Let urine dry on filter paper at ambient temperature in a horizontal position for a minimum of 3 hours.

3. Do not expose specimen to heat or direct sunlight.

4. Do not stack wet specimens.

5. Keep specimen dry.