Specimen Requirements and Shipping

Shipping Instructions

• Label all specimens with full name and date of birth
  
  
• Enclose completed requisition form
  
  
• Enclose payment
  
  
• Ship at room temperature—do not heat or freeze
  
  
• Use FedEx for overnight shipment (see below)
  
  
• Notify us by phone, or e-mail about incoming shipment.

Blood

Adult: 14cc
Child: 7cc
Infant: 2-3cc

Amniotic Fluid

Obtained at more than 15 weeks gestation

Direct: 10cc unspun (not applicable for certain tests)

Note: Do not send direct amniotic fluid if gestational age is less than 15 weeks.

Chorionic Villi

Direct: A minimum of 5mg shipped in sterile transport media

Cultures

Both amniocytes and CVS 3 T25 flasks with 100% confluent monolayer cultures

Special Requirements for Fetal Studies

• A signed consent form must accompany all fetal studies.
  
  
• Fetal specimens should be clearly labeled with mother's full name, type of fetal sample (CVS or amniotic fluid) and the fetal sex determined by cytogenetic data.
  
  
• All fetal studies will be performed two times, on different assays, on either a direct and then a cultured specimen, or on two separate cultures. A preliminary report will be sent if results are obtained on the first study and this will be followed by a final report once the repeat study is complete.
  
  
• To ensure the most accurate fetal results possible, we require that blood samples be sent from both parents (if autosomal recessive disorder) or the high risk parent (X-linked and autosomal dominant disorders) and the affected sibling, as well as possibly from other appropriate relatives. We recommend that the referring center consult with us about the samples required prior to submitting any samples.
  
  
• Maternal and paternal blood is required to rule out contamination and sample switch.
  
  

Shipping and Handling

If this is your first time using Federal Express, please call 1-800-238-5355. Shipper MUST indicate shipping weight as 1 lb (one pound).

Address for Shipping

NYU School of Medicine
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
Attn: MGL
550 First Avenue, MSB 136
New York, NY 10016

Note: All specimens must be packaged and shipped using CDC guidelines stated in their Interstate Shipment of Etiologic Agents statement (available upon request). The sample should be wrapped in absorbent packing material and into a sealable bag before being placed into a crushproof primary container and reinforced with a cap or plate and adhesive tape. The primary container should be placed into a secondary container and reinforced with tape.