Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
SCRN
Test Code (Numeric Code)
6140
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
4 Spot Paediatric Guthrie Card Blood. Samples must be dry before being placed into plastic specimen bags. The optimal time for sample collection is as soon as possible after 24 hours of baby age.
Transport
Send each blood spot sample when collected and dried.
Laboratory
LabPLUS Newborn Screening
Sample Stability
Courier the dried sample to the screening laboratory so that testing can be carried out as soon as possible.
Synonyms
Guthrie Test, NBS, Newborn Bloodspot Screening, Baby Metabolic Screening, Guthrie Card
Turnaround Time
10 days
Between 2 days and 10 days
Specimen Type
- Guthries Card
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Additional Specimen Information
Babies <1500g and/or <32/40 gestational age have further samples at 2 weeks of age, 4 weeks of age and pre-discharge. Neonatal unit babies should have samples on the blue cards. Venous samples can be used by dripping onto the card from the syringe or a dropper. Capillary tubes with anticoagulant must not be used.
Last updated: 19/08/2026