Specimen:

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Preferred Minimum:  3.5 mL CSF
Absolute Minimum:  0.5 mL CSF

Delivery Instructions:

Submit specimen to laboratory as soon as possible after collection.

Specimen
Instructions:

Call laboratory to obtain appropriate sample collection containers.  
Each set consists of 5 numbered centrifuge tubes in a small plastic 
bag.  Tube #3 contains antioxidants necessary to protect the sample 
from oxidation.  One set of tubes is required per patient.  The total 
CSF volume required is 3.5 mL.

CSF should be collected directly from the tap needle:  Collect from the 
first drop in to the containers in the order indicated.  Fill each tube 
to the marked line (0.5 mL in tubes 1, 2, and 5 - 1.0 mL in tubes 3 and 
4).  Attach patient identifies to each tube without covering the tube 
number.  If there is no blood contamination, place the tubes into a 
biohazard bag and place on ice (or dry ice if available) at the beside.

Analytic Time:

2 weeks

Reference Range:

Age (years)   (nmol/L)
  0-0.2        40-240
  0.2-0.5      40-240
  0.5-2.0      40-187
  2.0-5.0      40-150
  5.0-10       40-128
  10-15        40-120
  Adults       40-120

Interpretive Data:

Marker for cerebral folate deficiency syndromes.

Comments:

Please print, complete and submit to the lab, the Neurochemistry Test 
Requisition from Medical Neurogenetics, with the specimen and the A-1a 
Miscellaneous Request.

CPT Code:

82491