Necessary Information

Request the original newborn screening card from the state laboratory where the decedent was born. See Request for Original Newborn Screening Card. Provide patient name, date and time of birth and death, suspected cause of death, circumstances of death, relevant family history, and date and time of sample collection.

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

Both bile and blood spots are required.

Supplies: Card-Postmortem Screening (Filter Paper) (T525)

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Card-Postmortem Screening Card (Filter Paper)

Acceptable: Whatman Protein Saver 903 paper or local newborn screening card

Specimen Volume: Properly completed screening card

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect blood in a heparin-containing tube and drop 25 mcL of blood onto the 2 circles labeled Blood.

2. Collect bile by direct puncture of the gallbladder and drop 25 mcL of bile onto the 2 circles labeled Bile.

3. Allow to dry at ambient temperature in a horizontal position for a minimum of 3 hours.

4. Fill out information on page 2 of collection card.

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

6. Do not stack wet specimens.

7. Keep specimen dry.