Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Laboratory Update

Testing for the Noonan spectrum of disorders is now available at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Molecular Genetics Laboratory.

Infantile Epilepsy Panel (ARX, CDKL5, MEF2C, STXBP1, SLC25A22, SRPX2)

    Collect

    Collect whole blood in a purple top (EDTA) tube.

    Volume Required

    5ml

    Minimum Required

    3ml

    Transport

    Refrigerate sample until shipment. Send the sample at room temperature with overnight delivery for receipt Monday through Friday within 24 hours of collection.

    Stability

    Whole blood can be refrigerated until shipment.

    Unacceptable conditions

    Heparinized specimens, severely hemolyzed specimens, frozen, clotted or possibly commingled specimens, blood in non-sterile or leaky containers, mislabeled or inappropriately labeled specimens.


    Specimen Handling

    Do not heat, freeze or centrifuge blood before shipment. Refrigerate sample until shipment.

Days Performed

Mon - Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm

Reported

4-6 weeks

CPT

81479 x 5, 81406, 81404

Disease Information

Test Methods:

We offer DNA sequence analysis and deletion/duplication testing of ARX, CDKL5, and MEF2C, plus sequencing of STXBP1, SLC25A22, and SRPX2 in this panel.

PCR amplification and sequence analysis is performed on the coding exon including splice junctions. The patient’s gene sequence is compared to a reference sequence.

Sequence variants are classified as mutations, variants of unknown significance or benign variants unrelated to disease. Variants of unknown significance may warrant further studies in the patient and other family members. Mutations in promoters, deep intronic regions and other regulatory regions will not be identified with this assay.

Large deletions and duplications will be detected using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay (MLPA).

Results:

Test results with interpretation will be mailed and/or faxed to the referring physician or send out lab following completion of the test. Additional reports will be provided as requested.

Utility:

The clinical utility of the assay is to support a clinical diagnosis of the disease, facilitate genetic counseling, and assess the risk to other first degree relatives and to facilitate testing of at - risk family members.

Remarks

Whole blood in EDTA purple top tubes is the preferred sample. High molecular weight genomic DNA, cheek epithelial cells, or other samples containing DNA may be acceptable. Contact the laboratory for specific instructions regarding such samples before sending the sample.

Contact Us

Search Lab Test Directory

View a full list of all lab tests