Sample Requirements:

Amniotic Fluid – two options available:

Option I: CMA and cytogenetic studies at BCM lab: 25-30 cc of direct fluid (gestational age >16 weeks) (Discard first 2 cc)

Option II: CMA only at BCM lab with cytogenetic studies elsewhere: minimally 15 cc of direct fluid (gestational age >16 weeks) (Discard first 2 cc)

CVS: Entire fetal sample must be submitted for both CMA and cytogenetic studies to BCM lab: Estimated 20-30 mg of chorionic villi (undissected) should be sent in sterile media.

Please note: Results could be delayed if less than the minimally required sample amount is submitted for testing.

Fetal Blood Sample: Please contact the lab to discuss before collecting specimen.

Parental Bloods: 5-7 cc in EDTA tube on each parent.

Please note: Blood samples from both parents are required. Fetal sample will not be processed unless maternal blood sample is received with prenatal sample and paternal sample is either received with fetal sample or shipped within 48 hours or BCM lab is notified of unavailability of paternal sample.

Paperwork Requirements:

Prenatal CMA Requisition
Signed Consent Form

Genetic counseling along with a completed consent process is recommended. The fetal sample will not be processed without a signed consent form. Please submit the signed consent form together with the Prenatal CMA Requisition Form and clearly specify which tests are ordered.

Shipping Information:

Fill out the Prenatal CMA Requisition Form - an incomplete form will delay testing.
Label all specimen tubes with full name and date of birth of the patient.
Ship at room temperature in an insulated container. Do NOT heat or freeze. For amniotic fluid, collect in sterile 15ml conical centrifuge tubes. Discard the first 2cc of fluid collected. Tightly cap the tubes and wrap with parafilm. For chorionic villus, ship in sterile tissue culture media.
Ship samples by your most expedient international courier, such as FedEx or DHL. Samples are accepted Monday- Friday. We recommend shipping samples early in the week. Do not ship specimens off Thursday or Friday unless the laboratory is notified first. In order to minimize delays at U.S. Customs, please include a letter on your official letterhead explaining that this is a patient sample for clinical testing and is not of commercial value and that the package does not contain materials of animal origin.
Shipping kits are available upon request.
All international samples mustbe prepaid. For payment options, please see more detailed information below under billing policy.
For additional information, contact the laboratories by phone at 713-798-6555 or 1-800- 411-GENE (4363) or email ( ).

Sample Shipping Address:

Baylor College of Medicine
Medical Genetics Laboratories
2450 Holcombe
Grand Blvd. - Receiving Dock
Houston , Texas 77021-2024

Phone: 1-800-411-GENE (4363)
Fax: 713-798-6584
E-mail:

Cancellation Policy:

Test orders may only be cancelled if the following procedure is completed before 5:00pm (central time) the next business day after the sample is received. Cancellation orders received after that time cannot be honored, and tests will be performed, charged, and reports issued. This includes tests cancelled for billing (financial responsibility) issues:

Call Client Services 800-411-4363 or 713-798-6555 for cancellations or revisions.
A Test Cancellation/Revision form will be faxed to your institution for an authorized signature. Upon completion, please fax form to 713-798-6584.

Billing Policy:

Important Note for our International Clients: Individual international samples must be prepaid. You may submit check, money order, credit card, or wire transfer payment with individual samples.

International Payment Options:

Prepaid Samples
Individual prepaid samples receive discounted institution fees when required payment is received with the sample. We accept checks, money orders, credit card payments, and wire transfers. Please make checks and money orders payable to the Medical Genetics Laboratories . There is a $20.00 processing fee for insufficient check payments .

Credit Card Payments
Approved credit card (AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa) payments are accepted. The card type, cardholder name and signature, credit card account number, expiration date, and e-mail address must be provided.

Wire Transfers
Payments may be made via wire transfer from your bank. The bank identification information is referenced below. Please notify our business office (713-798-3295 or ) when a wire transfer is performed. The wire transfer information:

Recipient Bank Information:
JP Morgan Chase Bank
717 Travis, 8th Floor South
Mail Code: 8-CBBS-302
Houston, TX 77002
713-216-0404

Swift Code: TCBKUS44
Account Number: 30100015903
ABA Number: 113000609
Credit: Baylor College of Medicine, General Account
Reference: Medical Genetics

Financial Office Contact:
Barbara Daniel

713-798-3295 (p)
713-798-4187 (f)

P.O. Box 4832
Houston, TX 77210- 4832