Low PAPP-A

[Kate-92]

Hello, just wondered if anyone had any experience of low Papp-a. I have just received my screening results back & had the below odds;

downs 1:190 / edwards/patau 1:1110 / low levels of Papp-a although I haven’t been told what they are.

I have obviously turned to google and frightened myself to death, my pregnancy is an IVF pregnancy & we are almost 14 wks.

I did speak with the screening midwife who said it’s common, and will mean additional screening which I already have in place but I am wondering if I should have NIPT ?

Thanks in advance x

[Tarasunny]

I was told low papp-a could be linked to growth restriction later in pregnancy. If it came back low you would get growth scans regularly to monitor it but it wasn't anything to worry about if everything else came back normal. I'm getting extra growth scans anyway due to gaving twins so it wouldn't have made a difference to my care plan anyway (my papp-a turned out to be normal).

[Kate-92 in reply to Tarasunny]

Yes that’s what I have read and increased risk of pre eclampsia etc - I have the additional growth scans scheduled due to the pregnancy being IVF anyway so my care plan hasn’t changed to this point. Just always a worry when something isn’t ‘normal’ x thank you for replying

[HappyMammy]

Hello, I had love Papp-A on my last pregnancy and have it again on my current one. Both times having extra growth scans to monitor. Growth was completely normal on 1st baby (born full term at 6lb6oz) and so far on this pregnancy (currently 32 weeks) growth is normal at the 50th centile. My friend also had low Papp-A last year and had a completely normal size baby boy. So try not to worry if you can, a lot of the time the extra scans are just precautionary and growth will be fine. Also you can ask your midwife what your Papp-A level came back at. I think mine was at 3.8 on first pregnancy and is at 3.1 on this pregnancy.

NIPT could be useful to give you a definitive answer on the Downs but that depends on if that chance of 1:190 is a worry to you or not.

Best of luck with everything.

[Kate-92 in reply to HappyMammy]

Thank you so much for your reply & so reassuring to hear of both your successful pregnancies - your friends also x we have booked an NIPT on Friday - so 🤞🏼 all is well x

[Lolalules]

i had low papp-a after a successful FET. I had additional growth scans - in the first scan they check size and blood flow. For me, my daughter was small but blood flow ok so i was offered regular scans throughout pregnancy to monitor… she remained small throughout (below 10th centile) but then rose above 10th in weeks 38+ and was born a healthy 7lbs12 at 41 weeks. Low papp-a is quite common, it’s also not tested in all countries , but mainly just means you’ll be monitored more (reassuring after IVF!) and will be offered regular midwife appts to check blood pressure. X

[Kate-92 in reply to Lolalules]

Hello x I actually came across your post when you found out about your low Papp-a initially so really appreciate you reaching out ! Of course I have been searching & googling 🙄 I think with most things you always get a fright when you google as it often shows worst case scenario but a few people have contacted me with experiences like yours so I really hope my little one will be okay. We have all the extra growth scans already planned in because of the IVF and I am taking baby aspirin so 🤞🏼🙏🏼

Congratulations on your healthy little girl & so glad to hear that she was born a good weight ! x

[Kate-92]

just thought I would post an update as always good to see - we opted to have a private NIPT that came back this morning as low risk 🙏🏼 I personally think this test should be used instead of the combined screening - or the NT alongside an NIPT x

[aim44703]

I have low pappa, this being my second pregnancy , just extra scans to come not to worry until there is something to worry about x

[Kate-92 in reply to aim44703]

Thank you for replying, how far along are you ? I have my 16 wk app on Monday so will ask for some more info but doubt they will tell me anything other than what I’ve been told x I have additional growth scans planned in due to having an IVF pregnancy so to this point that hasn’t changed, at my scan on Sunday baby was measuring pretty much bang on 🙏🏼 x

[aim44703 in reply to Kate-92]

19 weeks today got the gender scan on the 28th so hopefully everything goes well and that's good! And they should do x

[Kate-92 in reply to aim44703]

Aaah fab x I hope it goes well, are you also having the scan to check placenta blood flow ? we found our our gender last week with our NIPT results - a little baby boy 🩵 so excited x

[aim44703 in reply to Kate-92]

Awh congrats🥰 and i am not too sure they havent said anything spefically about the placenta, just extra scans at 28, 32 and 36 weeks x