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View Full Version : What will a hair test on a newborn show?


christina goble
Jan 29, 2015, 06:13 AM
I want to know about hair drug tests on newborns. How far back can they show, how accurate are they etc

HOW FAR BACK CAN A HAIR DRUG TEST ON A NEW BORN BABY GO?

J_9
Jan 29, 2015, 06:18 AM
A hair test on a newborn will show all drugs the mother has taken consistently during pregnancy. They will usually start with a urine and Meconium drug screen before moving on to a hair drug screen.

mydogfifi
Jan 30, 2015, 12:04 PM
Ive done a few hair tests on newborns so there is no problem. As far as time frame goes if we can get a 1.5 inch sample it would go back 90 days. As long as the baby has some hair. I would also test the mother to see if there was consistent use over that time. It's not that expensive.

tickle
Jan 30, 2015, 01:56 PM
@mydog what are your qualifications for doing drug tests on newborns ?

J9 is A pediatric RN. I would qualify Her answer ahead of yours.

So, what say you ?

mydogfifi
Jan 30, 2015, 02:38 PM
There are no hair tests that "show all drugs the mother has taken consistently during pregnancy". The main drugs of abuse can be tested for along with the extended opiate (pain killers). I've been a TPA for 15 years partnering with Omega Labs. This isn't a contest so "rate" the answers however you want.

J_9
Jan 30, 2015, 04:30 PM
There are no hair tests that "show all drugs the mother has taken consistently during pregnancy". . This is somewhat true as the neonatal hair growth begins less than 90 days prior to delivery. This is the main reason Meconium is typically chosen to be used in neonatal drug testing. Meconium drug tests show drug use during the entire pregnancy rather than such a small window of time. The only time a hair test is used is when the Meconium has been passed and had not been tested.