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Testing and Lab Procedures for the Newborn in Intensive Care

It’s important that babies in intensive care undergo regular testing so they get the important care they need. Here are common seven lab tests used in the newborn intensive care unit. Make sure to ask your baby’s doctor about them.

Laboratory Tests for Cancer

Lab tests are used in cancer diagnosis to look for tumor markers. These are substances either released by cancer cells into the blood or urine or substances created by the body in response to cancer cells.

Fecal Fat

This test measures the amount of fat in your stool. Having too much fat in your stool may mean that you have malabsorption.

Bone Marrow Biopsy  (tests & procedures)

A bone marrow biopsy involves removing tissue from the red bone marrow to be sent to the lab for microscopic examination.

Before Undergoing Genetic Testing for Cancer

Testing methods vary from laboratory to laboratory and may affect the likelihood that the lab will identify a mutation in the gene if one is present. Different laboratory studies have the ability to detect different types of mutations. Accuracy will vary, depending upon the type of genetic testing method performed.

Chromosome Studies: Karyotype, Extended Banding, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), and Chromosomal Microarray Analysis

Detailed information on what type of testing is available to determine whether a child has a genetic birth defect

Types of Home Health Care Services

The range of home health care services a patient can receive at home is limitless. Care can range from nursing care to specialized medical services such as laboratory work-ups.

Treatment for Stroke

Although there is no cure for stroke, advanced medical and surgical treatments are now available, giving many stroke victims hope for optimal recovery.

Avoiding Eye Injuries in Children

Children should wear protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities. In the classroom, they should wear eye protection when doing lab experiments.

Eye Care/Avoiding Eye Injuries

Children should wear protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities. In the classroom, they should wear eye protection when doing lab experiments.

Cocaine Screen

A cocaine screen is a test done to find out whether you have used cocaine recently. The test can be done on your urine, saliva, blood, hair, or sweat.

Gonorrhea Culture (DNA Probe)

This test looks for DNA of gonorrhea bacteria in a sample of bodily fluid. It can distinguish between an infection caused by gonorrhea and one caused by chlamydia.

Complete Urinalysis

This test looks at a sample of your urine, to help diagnose, find, or track many conditions, such as diabetes or urinary tract infections.

Acid-Fast Bacteria Smear

This test looks for a type of bacteria called acid-fast bacillus in your sputum. Tuberculosis is the most common infection from this type of bacteria.

Anaerobic Culture

This test looks for certain bacteria in a wound or an infection in a fluid sample. These bacteria are called anaerobic because they don’t need oxygen to grow.

Anion Gap (Blood)

This test looks at electrically charged particles in your blood to help your doctor diagnose acid-base imbalances.

Cholinesterase (Blood)

This test looks for toxic chemicals in your blood. These chemicals are most often found in insecticides, either those use in fields or those used in bug sprays.

Gonorrhea Culture (Discharge)

This test looks for the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease.

Immunofixation by Electrophoresis (Urine)

This test separates and measures proteins in your urine. It looks for an abnormal protein called monoclonal protein, or M-protein.

International Normalized Ratio

This blood test looks to see how well your blood clots. The test is especially important if you take blood-thinning medications.

Lactate Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes

This test measures different enzymes in your blood. You may need this test if you've had a heart attack, or if you have a blood disorder or liver damage.

Bence-Jones Protein (Urine)

This urine test is used mainly to diagnose and monitor multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.

Giardia Antigen (Stool)

This is a stool sample test to look for the parasite , which causes an infection of the small bowel called giardiasis or travelers’ diarrhea.

Haptoglobin

This test measures the level of a protein called haptoglobin in your blood. Low levels may mean that you have a type of anemia.

Leptin (Blood)

This test measures the amount of leptin in your blood. The test can help figure out how much body fat you have.

Ova and Parasites (Stool)

This test looks for parasites and their larvae or eggs in a sample of your stool.

Benzodiazepines (Urine)

This is a urine test to screen for a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs are often informally called tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and muscle relaxants.

C-Reactive Protein (Blood)

This test is used to find out if you have inflammation in your body. The test detects the amount of a protein made by your liver and released into your bloodstream.

Lecithin-Sphingomyelin Ratio (Amniotic Fluid)

This test measures two substances found in amniotic fluid near the end of pregnancy. The amounts can tell your doctor how mature your unborn baby's lungs are.

Amniocentesis Procedure  (tests & procedures)

Amniocentesis is a procedure used to obtain a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. The fluid is analyzed to help diagnose certain birth defects.

Blood Type and Crossmatch

This is a set of tests that looks for harmful interactions between your blood and donor blood. The tests are done before a blood transfusion.

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

This is a two-part test that looks at the blood cells in a sample of bone marrow, the spongy tissue within certain bones. This test may help your doctor diagnose or monitor a blood disease or health condition affecting your marrow.

Calcium (Urine)

This test measures the level of calcium in your urine. If too much calcium builds up in your urine, you may be at risk for kidney stones.

Chromosome Analysis

This test looks for changes, or abnormalities, in the chromosomes that make up your body’s DNA, or genetic road map.

Endomysial Antibody

This test looks for certain antibodies in your blood that may mean you have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that affects your intestines.

Fecal Occult Blood Test

A fecal occult blood test checks a stool sample for blood that can't be seen with the naked eye. Blood in the stool is a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract.

Helicobacter Pylori Urea Breath

This is a breath test that checks for , a common infection that can cause ulcers and other stomach irritations.

Herpes Simplex Virus Antibody

This test screens for the herpes simplex virus and can help diagnose current and recurrent infections.

Home Page - Pathology

Detailed information on pathology, the study of disease

Ketone Bodies (Urine)

This test checks the amount of ketones you have in your body. People with diabetes may have high levels of ketones.

MRSA Culture

This test looks for bacteria called methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in a fluid sample from your body.

Mycoplasma (Genital)

This test looks for microorganisms in a sample of secretions from your genital area. Mycoplasma may be a sign of infection or a sexually transmitted disease.

Prostate-Specific Antigen

This test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. If your PSA levels start to rise, you may have prostate cancer.

Rotavirus (Stool)

This stool test is used to diagnose a rotavirus infection, which causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Semen Analysis

This is a series of tests that looks at how healthy your semen and sperm are.

Stool Culture

This test looks for bacteria, viruses, and other organisms in your stool. This test can help find out what’s causing a digestive tract infection.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

This test measures your level of TSH, a hormone made by your pituitary. You may need this test if you have symptoms of thyroid problems.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

This test measures the amount of a substance in your body that helps new blood vessels form. The test can help monitor cancer treatment.

Viral Culture

This test checks to see whether an infection is caused by a bacterium or a virus. It can also tell which specific virus is causing your infection.

Liver Biopsy  (tests & procedures)

A liver biopsy is a procedure in which tissue samples from the liver are removed for examination under a microscope to look for signs of damage or disease. It is used to diagnose many liver conditions.

Amphetamine Screen (Urine)

This test detects the presence of amphetamine in your urine. This drug can show up in your urine long after you've taken it.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

An arterial blood gas analysis measures the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood to see how well your lungs are working.

Benzodiazepines (Blood)

This is a blood test to screen for a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These are depressant drugs used to help patients sleep and ease anxiety.

Brucella Antibody

This test looks for brucellosis, an infectious disease usually caused by handling animals or milk products infected with the brucella bacteria.

Colonoscopy Isn’t First Choice for Many

< Apr. 11, 2012 > -- Given the option of having a stool test or a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer, most people would go with the stool test.

Cytomegalovirus (Blood)

This test looks for antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus in the herpes family, in your blood.

Immunohistochemical Test for Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors

This test looks for several types of receptors on cells in a sample of breast cancer tissue. It helps your doctor figure out which type of breast cancer you have.

Pap

This screening test looks for abnormal cells in the cervix. If abnormal cells are found, your doctor can treat them right away, before they become cancerous.

Salicylate (Blood)

This test looks for high levels of salicylate, the main ingredient in aspirin. It may be used to diagnose an aspirin overdose or to monitor people taking high doses for arthritis.

Vitamin B12 and Folate

This test measures the levels of vitamin B12 and folate in your blood. You may have low B12 levels if you have pernicious anemia.

Von Willebrand Panel

This test is used to diagnose von Willebrand disease, a bleeding disorder that causes excessive bleeding after minor injuries.

Amylase (Urine)

This test is used to find out whether you have pancreatitis or another pancreas-related disorder.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (Blood)

This test measures the level of a certain enzyme in your blood. It can help diagnose a condition called sarcoidosis.

Antidiuretic Hormone

This test measures the amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in your blood. ADH regulates your body's balance of water.

Antimitochondrial Antibody and Antimitochondrial M2 Antibody

This test looks for certain substances in your blood that may mean you have a form of liver disease.

Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus Culture (Throat)

This test looks for the bacteria that cause strep throat. This condition causes a severe sore throat and makes it painful to swallow.

Blood Test

Your doctor might order a blood test to find out if you are sick, if your body is responding to an allergy, or if you are at risk for certain health conditions.

Blood Tests

Detailed information on blood tests used to diagnosis heart disease

Bordetella Pertussis Antibody (Blood)

This test checks for antibodies in your blood. are the bacteria that cause pertussis, or whooping cough.

Campylobacter Culture (Stool)

This test looks for harmful bacteria called Campylobacter in a culture sample from your stool.

Cerebral Vascular Reserve assessment with acetazolamide (Diamox)

Chlamydia Pneumoniae (Swab)

If your health care provider suspects that you have this type of pneumonia, he or she may do a swab test of your nose or throat.

Chlamydia Trachomatis (Swab)

This test looks for bacteria that cause chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.

Chlamydia Trachomatis (Urine)

This test looks for the bacteria that cause chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.

Clonazepam Drug Level (Blood)

This test measures the amount of clonazepam in your blood. Clonazepam is a drug used to treat seizures.

Complete Blood Count

This test looks at the number and size of various blood cells to help judge your overall health or to diagnose a range of illnesses, from anemia to infections.

Cystatin C

This test measures the amount of a protein called cystatin C in your blood. This is a relatively new blood test to look at your kidney health.

Erythropoietin (Blood)

This test measures how much of the hormone erythropoietin you have in your blood. You may need this test to help find out what kind of anemia you have.

Fragile X Syndrome (Amniotic Fluid)

This test checks a sample of your amniotic fluid to find out whether your fetus may have fragile X syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

Growth Hormone Antibody

This test looks for growth hormone (GH) antibodies in your blood. These antibodies may mean that your growth treatment may not be working.

HCG (Urine)

This test measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine. It can tell whether you are pregnant within days of a missed period.

HDL Cholesterol

This test measures the amount of HDL ("good") cholesterol in your blood. It's one of several tests that can determine your risk for heart disease.

Hemoglobin (Fetal)

Fetal hemoglobin is one of many types of hemoglobin in the blood. High levels may mean you have thalassemia, myeloid leukemia, or sickle cell anemia.

HIV Genotypic Resistance

This blood test looks at the genetic makeup of a strain of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The test can be useful in planning your treatment for HIV.

HLA Antigen

This test looks at the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in your blood. It helps match donors and recipients for stem-cell and organ transplants.

Legionella Antibody

This test looks for an antibody that may be in your blood if you have Legionnaires’ disease. This disease is a type of pneumonia or serious lung infection.

Lipase

This test measures the amount of lipase in your blood. Lipase is an enzyme that is made by your pancreas. Higher levels may mean you have a problem with your pancreas.

Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2

This test looks for a specific lipoprotein, Lp-PLA2, in your blood. The test is used to help predict your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Mononucleosis (Blood)

This test looks for signs in your blood that you have the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono.

Mycoplasma (Sputum)

This test looks at sputum, or the mucus from your lower airways. It finds out whether you have a lung infection caused by a certain organism.

Osmolality (Urine)

This test measures the concentration of particles in your urine. It finds out whether your electrolyte balance is normal and whether your kidneys are working properly.

Oxalate (Urine)

This test checks for the chemical oxalate in your blood. High levels of this substance can make it more likely that you will develop kidney stones.

Pancreatic Polypeptide

This test measures a substance in your blood called pancreatic polypeptide. Higher levels may mean you have a type of pancreatic tumor.

Plasmodium (Blood)

This test looks for Plasmodium parasites in your blood. The parasites cause malaria, a serious disease that can be fatal if left untreated.

Platelet Antibody

This test looks for platelet antibodies in your blood in order to find out the cause of a low platelet count.

Prolactin (Blood)

This test measures the level of prolactin in your blood. The test can help find out whether you have a pituitary gland tumor.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Blood)

This blood test is used to look for antibodies that your body makes to fight Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a serious bacterial infection caused by a tick bite.

Sputum Culture

This test finds out what's causing your lung infection. Sputum, or phlegm, is the mucus that settles in the lower airways of your lungs when you have an infection or a chronic illness.

T and B Lymphocyte and Natural Killer Cell Profile

This test finds and counts three types of white blood cells in your blood. White blood cells help your body fight off infections and illness.

Total Protein and A/G Ratio

This test measures the amount of protein in your blood. It can help your doctor find out if you have liver disease or nephrotic syndrome.

Trichomonas Vaginalis (Discharge)

This test looks for a parasite that causes the sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis. It can cause complications during pregnancy.

Trypsin/Chymotrypsin (Stool)

This test looks for two enzymes from the pancreas, to find out how well the pancreas is working. This test is used for people with cystic fibrosis.

Urea Nitrogen Clearance (Urine)

This test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your urine. The test can help diagnose kidney problems.

Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody

This test looks for antibodies in your blood that your body makes against the varicella-zoster virus. The virus causes chickenpox and shingles.