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NICU/Pediatrics Minimum Volume Requirements

Specimen Collection Microtainer® tubes (pediatric bullet tubes)*

Microtainer® tube Gold Microtainer<sup>®</sup>; Red Microtainer<sup>®</sup>; Light Green Microtainer<sup>®</sup>; Lavender Microtainer<sup>®</sup>; Small Green
Color Gold Red Light Green (amber or clear) Lavender Green (without gel barrier)
Additive No additive with gel barrier No additive Lithium Heparin with gel barrier K2EDTA Lithium Heparin without gel barrier
Volume 0.5 mL 0.5 mL 0.5 mL 0.5 mL 0.4 mL

  *Microtainer is a registered trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company

NICU/Peds Minimum Specimen Requirements

NICU Hypoglycemia:

Cortisol, Insulin, Growth Hormone, Beta Hydroxy Butyrate
0.8 mL red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 5 Microtainer® tubes

NICU Bone Testing:

Calcium/Phosphorus/Alkaline Phosphatase
0.7 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube

Test

mL whole blood in Microtainer® unless otherwise specified

ACTH 1.0 mL lavender Microtainer® tube ON ICE - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Albumin 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Alkaline Phosphatase 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Ammonia

0.5 mL lavender Microtainer® tube ON ICE - collect 1 Microtainer® tube

Draw via venipuncture or arterial stick only; NO capillary samples

Antithrombin III

One 1.8 ml light blue top Microtainer® tube

Samples must be venipuncture or arterial line/puncture; no heelstick samples. Cord blood is NOT preferred.

Sample must be filled up to the marker line as indicated on the tube.

1.8 ml light blue top Microtainer® tube can be obtained from Hematology at ext. 456-5090

BNP (B-Type Natriuretic Peptide)

0.5 mL lavender Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube

Bilirubin, Micro 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Blood Culture 1 mL per protocol
Fungal Blood Culture 1 mL per protocol
Basic Metabolic Panel 0.7 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
BMP, bili, triglyceride, MG 0.7 mL light green or gold Microtainer® tube – collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
CBC 0.5 mL lavender Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Copper 1.7 mL red or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 4 Microtainer® tubes OR 1.7 mL plain royal-blue-top Microtainer® tube
Cortisol 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
CMV (Cytomegalovirus) IgG & IgM 0.5 mL gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
CPK 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
CRP 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
DIC Screen (PT, PTT, Fibrinogen, D-dimer, Platelet Count)

0.5 mL in lavender Microtainer® tube AND:

One 1.8 ml light blue top Microtainer® tube

Samples must be venipuncture or arterial line/puncture; no heelstick samples. Cord blood is NOT preferred.

Sample must be filled up to the marker line as indicated on the tube.

1.8 ml light blue top Microtainer® tube can be obtained from Hematology at ext. 456-5090.

Direct Coombs (Direct Antiglobulin Test) & Indirect Coombs 1.5 mL pink-top or lavender-top Microtainer® tube
Electrolyte Panel 0.6 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Ferritin 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Glucose 0.5 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Hemoglobin & Hematocrit 0.5 mL lavender Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Hepatic panel 0.7 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
HIV Antibodies/P24 Screen VISHAS (STAT) or VISHAA (Routine)

Collect 2 full - 0.5 mL gold or red top Microtainer® tubes

Homocystein

0.7 mL light green, lavender, or red Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes

Ionized Calcium 0.4 mL light green Microtainer® tube ON ICE - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Lactate 0.4 mL light green Microtainer® tube ON ICE <30 minutes - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
LH (Luteinizing Hormone) 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Lipase 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Liver Panel (Hepatic Function Panel) 0.6 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Magnesium 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Osmolality, Serum 0.3 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Phosphorus 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Phos, Alk Phos, BMP 0.7 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Progesterone 0.8 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
Prolactin 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
PT, PTT, Fibrinogen

One 1.8 ml light-blue top Microtainer® tube

Samples must be venipuncture or arterial line/puncture; no heelstick samples. Cord blood is NOT preferred.

Sample must be filled up to the marker line as indicated on the tube.

1.8 ml light-blue top Microtainer® tube can be obtained from Hematology at ext. 456-5090

Factors: II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, or XIII

One 1.8 ml light-blue top Microtainer® tube

Samples must be venipuncture or arterial line/puncture; no heelstick samples. Cord blood is NOT preferred.

Sample must be filled up to the marker line as indicated on the tube.

1.8 ml light-blue top Microtainer® tube can be obtained from Hematology at ext. 456-5090

Reticulocyte Count 0.5 mL lavender Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube

Respiratory Virus Panel

(Adenovirus, Human Metapneumovirus, Influenza Virus Type A/B, Parainfluenza Virus Type 1, 2, 3 and RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Preferred: 2 mL nasopharyngeal wash, tracheal aspirate or respiratory sectretions in screw-capped, sterile container. Acceptable: Nasopharyngeal swabs

Specimen required: 2 mL aspirate or 4 nasopharyngeal swabs
Minimum required: 1 mL aspirate of 3 nasopharyngeal swabs

PCR will be performed for influenza and RSV, Immunofluorescence will be performed for Adenovirus, Human Metapneumovirus and Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3
Syphillis Antibody Screen 1 mL - collect 2 gold Microtainer® tubes
SGOT 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
SGPT 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Thyroid Function TSH, T4, T3

0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube for any single test - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes

1.5 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube for any 2 or 3 tests - collect 3 Microtainer® tubes

Thyroxine (T4) Free 0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes
TSH, Free T4

0.8 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube for 1 test - collect 2 Microtainer® tubes

1.2 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube for both tests - collect 3 Microtainer® tubes

TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) 0.5 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Toxoplasma IgG & IgM 0.5 mL gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Triglycerides 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Uric Acid 0.4 mL light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Urine Drug Screen RDSI: 1 mL urine
UDS: 6 mL urine
Urine Electrolytes 0.4 mL spot urine in a screw-cap tube

Therapeutic Drug Levels

Amikacin 0.5 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Digoxin 0.5 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Dilantin 0.4 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Gentamicin 0.4 mL red or light green Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Phenobarbital 0.4 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Theophylline 0.4 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Tobramycin 0.4 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube
Vancomycin 0.4 mL red Microtainer® tube - collect 1 Microtainer® tube

Send-Out Test

mL whole blood in Microtainer® unless otherwise specified

17-Hydroxyprogesterone, HPLC-MS/MS SST (X17OHP)

Draw 0.8 mLs in a light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Smith-Lemli-Opitz Screen, Plasma aka 7-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase Deficiency
Test Code: SLO
(YMSC)

Draw 0.4 mLs in a light green or lavender Microtainer® tube

Average TAT: 5-9 days

Acylcarnitine, Quantitative (YACRN)

0.4 mLs in a light green or lavender Microtainer® tube
Patient Preparation: Collect specimen just prior to a scheduled meal or feeding.

Average TAT: 4-7 days

Mycoplasma Pneumonia, PCR Qualitative (XMPPCR)

Respiratory specimen: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial brushings, nasopharyngeal swab, sputum, tracheal aspirate, pleural fluid or CSF

Swabs: Place in viral transport media (ARUP supply # 12884)

CSF: 0.5 mLs transfer to a sterile container

Respiratory specimen: Transfer to sterile container or viral transport media.

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Aldosterone (XALDOS)

Draw 1.5 mLs in a gold or red Microtainer®

Average TAT: 1-3 days

Amino Acids, Blood (XAMACP)

Draw 0.8 mLs in a light green Microtainer® 
Patient Preparation: Draw specimen prior to feeding or 2-3 hours after a meal.

Average TAT: 3-7 days

Amino Acids, Urine (XAA)

Collect 3.0 mLs random urine. First morning void is preferred.
Pediatric Min: May be able to perform with a minimum of 1.0 mLs in a ; however, this is dependent on creatinine value. More than 1.0 mLs in a may be required if urine is very dilute.

CRITICAL FROZEN: Deliver to lab immediately

MUST submit history form with specimen: http://ltd.aruplab.com/Tests/Pdf/16

Average TAT: 4-9 days

Androstenedione (XANDRO)

Draw 0.7 mLs in a light green, red, or gold Microtainer®
Patient Preparation:
Specimen should be collected between 6-10 a.m.

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Aneuploidy panel by FISH
aka Newborn Fish panel (XNBANU)

Collect 1 full mL in a dark green (sodium heparin)
MUST submit history form with specimen: https://ltd.aruplab.com/api/ltd/pdf/20

Average TAT: 2-5 days

Caffeine (XCAFF)

Draw 0.6 mLs in a red, gold, or lavender Microtainer® 

Average TAT: 2-7 days

Carnitine Free & Total (XCARN)

Draw 0.6 mLs in a red, gold, or lavender Microtainer® 
CRITICAL FROZEN: Send to lab immediately after collection.
MUST submit history form with specimen: http://ltd.aruplab.com/Tests/Pdf/16

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Chromosome Analysis (XRTC)

Draw 2.0 mLs in a dark green (sodium heparin)
MUST submit history form with specimen: http://ltd.aruplab.com/Tests/Pdf/20

Average TAT: 4-12 days

Dehyroepiandrosterone [DHEA] (XDHEA)

Draw 0.8 mLs in a light green, red, or gold Microtainer® 

Average TAT: 2-6 days

5-a-Dihydrotestosterone by Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Serum (XDHT)

Draw 1.4 mLs in a red or gold Microtainer® 

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Fatty Acid Profile (YPOX)

Draw 0.6 mLs in a red or gold Microtainer® tube
Patient Preparation: collect specimen prior to next feeding

Average TAT: 4-7 days

HIV 1 DNA PCR Qualitative ZHIVQ

Draw 0.5 mLs in a lavender Microtainer®

Average TAT: 2-3 days

Renin Activity (XRENIN)

Draw 2.7 mLs in a pink-top or lavender Microtainer®
CRITICAL FROZEN: Deliver to lab immediately

Average TAT: 2-5 days

Cytogenomic SNP Microarray (XSNPM)

Draw 1.0 mL in a lavender Microtainer®
MUST submit history form with specimen http://ltd.aruplab.com/Tests/Pdf/76

Average TAT: 12-16 days

Testosterone Free & Total (XTESTF)

Draw 1.8 mLs in a light green, red, or gold Microtainer® tube
Patient Preparation:
Collect between 6-10 a.m.

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Testosterone Free (XFTESF)

Draw 1.8 mLs in a light green, red, or gold Microtainer®
Patient Preparation:
Collect between 6-10 a.m.

Average TAT: 2-6 days

Urine Organic Acids Screen (YOAU)

Collect 4.0 mLs in a Urine in a sterile container
Pediatric Min: If insufficient collection volume, submit as much specimen as possible in a single container; the laboratory will determine if volume is sufficient for testing.

Average TAT: 5-8 days

17-Alpha-Hydroxyprogesteron (Esoterix 500163)

Draw 0.6 mLs in a red or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Average TAT: 4-7 days

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

(Esoterix 500471)

Draw 0.8 mLs in a lavender Microtainer® 
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 3-5 days

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)

(Esoterix 500183)

Draw 0.7 mLs in a red or gold Microtainer® 
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 6-12 days

C Peptide, Ultrasensitive, ES

(Esoterix 503830)

0.8 mLs in a lavender, red, or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 8-14 days

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Pediatric Profile Seven-Treatment (Esoterix 500166)

Draw 1.8 mLs in a red ONLY Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 7-17 days

Cortisol LC/MS

(Esoterix 500154)

Draw 0.5 mLs in a light green, lavender, red, or gold Microtainer® 
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 6-12 days

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

(Esoterix 500142)

Draw 1.2 mLs in a light green, lavender, red, or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 7-12 days

Estradiol, LC/MS

(Esoterix 500108)

Draw 3.2 mLs in a light green, lavender, red or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 8-12 days

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Pediatric

(Esoterix 502280)

Draw 0.6 mLs in a lavender, red, or gold Microtainer® 
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 7-12 days

Growth Hormone, RIA

(Esoterix 500632)

Draw 1.2 mLs in a gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 7-12 days

Hypoglycemia Test Group I

(Esoterix 501106)

Draw 2.2 mLs in a red Microtainer® ONLY
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 4-6 days

Insulin

(Esoterix 503068)

Draw 0.7 mLs in a lavender, red, or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 4-6 days

Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Pediatric

(Esoterix 502286)

Draw 1.2 mLs in a gold or lavender Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 7-12 days

Testosterone, Women/Child

(Esoterix 500159)

Draw 1.0 mL in a red or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 5-7 days

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

(Esoterix 500477)

Draw 2.2 mLs in a red or gold Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 3-5 days

Thyroxine (T4), Automated

(Esoterix 500348)

Draw 0.6 mLs in a red or gold Microtainer® 
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Avereage TAT: 3-5 days

Thyroxine, Free (Free T4) by Dialysis/Mass Spec

(Esoterix 501902)

Draw 1.0 mL in a gold or lavender Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Average TAT: 6-8 days

Triiodothyronine (T3), Serum

(Esoterix 500563)

Draw 0.7 mLs in a red Microtainer® ONLY 
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Average TAT: 3-5 days

TSH (Esoterix 500477) & Free T4
(Esoterix 501902)

Draw 1 mL in a red or lavender Microtainer®
(this volume does not allow for repeat testing)

Average TAT: 6-8 days

Ureaplasma PCR

TEST CODE: URRP

(YMSC)

Specimen source is required. Submit only 1 of the following specimen types:

Swab: nasopharynx, nose, throat (infants < 3 months) - 1 swab in culturette swab or E-swab

Fluid: nasal washing (infants < 3 months) - 1 mLs in a in sterile container

Synovial Fluid: 1 mLs in a in sterile container or lavender Microtainer® tube (EDTA)

Urine-first void, kidney/bladder stone, or ureter - 2 mLs in a in sterile container

Tissue: 5 mm(3) in sterile container
Average TAT: 4-7 days

Laboratory Contacts

Manager of Pre-Analytics
Phlebotomy Supervisor Yadira Vaca 714-456-8822 yadi@hs.uci.edu
Support Services Supervisor Abraham Castaneda 714-456-8822 abrahc1@hs.uci.edu
Send-Outs Coordinator Brigette Huddleston 714-456-5470 Path-Sendout@hs.uci.edu
Send-Outs Pager
Send-Outs Supervisor Abraham Castaneda 714-456-5470 Path-Sendout@hs.uci.edu
Resident On-Call Pager 714-506-8121
Send-Outs Medical Director Cassiana Bittencourt, MD 714-456-6868
Pager: 714-506-0014
bittencc@uci.edu

Updated 10/19/22