A forensic toxicologist based in Philadelphia, Dr. Barry Logan directs the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education and serves as chief scientist at NMS Labs. At the latter, toxicologist Dr. Barry Logan and his colleagues offer various reliable toxicology drug testing services, including umbilical cord testing for newborns.

Traditionally, meconium (a baby’s first feces) is collected during newborn drug testing. The disadvantages of this non-invasive specimen approach are that some infants do not produce meconium (or too little), and the substance can take a day or more to pass. In addition, the meconium sample can contaminate the diaper with milk stool or urine, and false negatives and positives are possible.

Umbilical cord testing provides a viable alternative that avoids these issues. It’s used to confirm withdrawal effects following an infant’s exposure to “substances of abuse” such as opioids. The testing also provides clinicians pathways toward devising neonatal care regimens that make sense for the baby. As with meconium, the umbilical cord is the possession of the baby, which means that the mom’s permission is not required for testing.

Not only does umbilical cord testing expedite the specimen transfer to the lab, but it also shortens the turnaround time for vital evidence-based data that enables social welfare activities. These help ensure the young child is placed in a safe, supportive home environment.