The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry
Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines

Published Guidelines

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This laboratory medicine guideline was developed beginning with preconception issues and proceeding through pregnancy identification, first and second trimester evaluation of fetal health, to delivery and initial evaluation of the newborn. While we have attempted to define the central laboratory medicine issues, this is not a comprehensive listing of all possible events or the medical evaluation that may be required. Our recommendations are based upon the consensus of expert contributors and their experience in their field of expertise. Some issues are not yet fully resolved, and may require us to revisit this topic at some future date. The dietary addition of folic acid has had a significant effect on the incidence of neural tube defects, and we may see some continuation of this trend. The emerging role of first trimester screening for fetal health will continue to develop, and there is some suggestion that it may supplant at least a portion of second trimester screening. The evaluation of the high risk infant at term continues to increase in complexity as does the evaluation of the newborn infant.
The materials in this monograph represent the opinions of the authors and editors and do not represent the official position of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) or any of the co-sponsoring organizations. The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry is the official academy of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Single copies for personal use may be printed from authorized Internet sources such as the NACB’s Home Page (www.nacb.org), provided it is printed in its entirety, including this notice. Printing of selected portions of the document is also permitted for personal use provided the user also prints and attaches the title page and cover pages to the selected reprint or otherwise clearly identifies the reprint as have been produced by the NACB. Otherwise this document may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, translated into other language, or transmitted in any form without the express written permission of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB, 1850 K Street, N.W., Suite 625, Washington, DC 20006). Permission will ordinarily be granted provided the logo of the NACB and the following notice appear prominently at the front of the document: Reproduced (translated) with permission of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, Washington, DC.

Copyright 2006 by the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry

Publication of these guidelines was supported by grants from:
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Contributing Corporate Sponsors:
Perkin Elmer
Adeza

Participating Corporate Sponsors:
DPC
Micromass
Diagnostic Chemicals