Umbilical Cord Tissue Drug Testing: Newborn Drug Exposure Screening
This test checks if a newborn was exposed to heroin during pregnancy by testing the umbilical cord tissue.
{"Detects 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), a heroin breakdown product","Uses umbilical cord tissue as the sample, not blood or urine","Results show whether heroin was used during pregnancy","Used for newborn safety assessment and child protection","A positive result does not mean the baby is currently in danger"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 97210-9
- Short code
- 6MAM-CORD
- Synonyms
- 6MAM Free TissCo Ql Scn
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Lavender top (EDTA) tube or sterile container for cord tissue
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- screen
- CPT
- 80307
- SNOMED
- 122465009
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL cord blood or 5-10 g cord tissue
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 7 days; frozen (-20°C) for longer storage
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is the umbilical cord tissue drug test, and what does it check for in a newborn?
This test looks for 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) in the umbilical cord tissue. 6-MAM is a special substance that only appears when the body breaks down heroin. It is a marker that shows if a mother used heroin while pregnant.
Why is umbilical cord tissue used for this test instead of the baby's blood or urine?
Umbilical cord tissue can show drug exposure over a longer period—approximately the last trimester of pregnancy. Blood or urine only show recent use (hours to days). Cord tissue testing is also less invasive and provides a longer detection window.
How is the umbilical cord tissue test done, and what happens during the testing process?
After birth, a small piece of the umbilical cord is collected and sent to a laboratory. The tissue is analyzed using screening methods to detect the presence or absence of 6-MAM. The result is reported as 'Present' or 'Not Present'.
Reference range
Negative - No 6-monoacetylmorphine detectedN/A
No special preparation required. Collect cord blood/tissue at time of delivery.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive 6-MAM result indicates that the mother used heroin during pregnancy. This information is important for healthcare providers to assess the newborn's health needs, as babies exposed to heroin may experience withdrawal symptoms (neonatal abstinence syndrome) and require special care. The test is also used in child protection and forensic settings to document prenatal drug exposure.
A negative result means no heroin use was detected during the detected time window, but it does not rule out all drug use. Other drugs or substances may not be detected by this specific test.
Frequently asked questions
Will a positive test affect my parental rights?
Can secondhand exposure cause a positive result?
What happens if the test is positive?
How long does heroin stay detectable in cord tissue?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy