Low PAPP-A result - what does this mean?

[amyleigh89]

I'm confused.

Just had a letter from the hospital to say that at my 12week blood tests results came back as " a little lower than average" for PAPP-A so it is recommended that I begin low dose of aspirin daily.

My levels were - 0.458 IU/I.
0.38 MoM

There is no other information it just said levels suggest increased risk for pregnancy complications.

Would be helpful if they had put in an information sheet or something.... Now I am stressing and too scared to google.

Does anybody know anything about this?

Thanks x

 

[ginny83]

From what I understand there are some links with low papp a levels and a higher chance of poor growth or preeclampsia, so the aspirin will help with blood flow. However many people have low papp a levels and go on to have normal complication free pregnancies. Stay off google and I'm sure your Dr will be monitoring you carefully and letting you know if there's anything to worry about

 

[Bakebino]

I received this same news at my anomaly scan last week (no one called me after my NT Scan and Bloods like they were supposed to). I was told my Papp A is low. They said that it means I am possibly more likely to develop complications such as Inter-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) or pre-eclampsia. I am already on a low dose aspirin as I did develop pre-e very early in my first pregnancy. I was told I would now have growth scans every 4 weeks until delivery to make sure baby is measuring on target and bloodflow from placenta is good. I did some googling and it appears MOST people who receive this result go on to have healthy complication free pregnancies. Hopefully it will be the same for us

 

[Wishing89]

Hi amyleigh. I just found out today I also have low PAPP A levels. 0.32.

I'm actually 20+5 and today the doctor mentioned that at my 13 week scan the levels came back low. She mentioned that they will just keep an eye on growth and I have another scan at 28 weeks and again at 34 weeks. When they do my fundal measurements at each appointment and depending on the results of my 28 week scan either everything will continue to be normal or if things are measuring small I will have more regular scans.

There is every chance everything will be fine but I know it can be stressful. We also found out at our 19 week scan that baby has only one kidney so they're keeping an eye on the one kidney our baby has. I'm sure it's probably not related at all but still again it's worrying. When is your next scan?

 

[Shakeitout]

I have this too. Had a call on Tuesday the day after my blood was taken just letting me know that the levels were low. They have booked me for a doppler scan at 23 weeks. Just trying now to worry about it now.

 

[amyleigh89]

Hi Wishing,

Have they prescribed aspirin for you?

I'm due to have scans at 28,32+36 weeks anyway due to high risk - high bmi and previous emcs. I can't imagine the nhs will sort all scans to be done on the same day so I reckon I will be up the hospital most of my third tri! I've got my 1st appointment to talk about it at the end of sept.

I'm actually having a private gender scan tomorrow so I'm going to ask them to check over the placenta and see if there is anything they can see... Maybe with blood flow.

It has got me wondering... Maybe placenta was having an off day and our levels could be fine the next day... Luck of the draw kind of thing.

I have read that lots of people who see consultants about it are told they have never actually seen someone come in with low Papp-a and have any significant problems.

I'm stressing out a lot less than I was before.

Xx

 

[MrsBroodyPant]

All I know is I had very very low papp-a with my first pregnancy which indicated a problem and after a CVS was told of chromosomal disorder. BUT my papp-a was 0.06 so far lower than yours. I did lots of research at the time and discovered that lots of people did have low results and everything turned out fine. I hope everything works out well for u. Try not to Google and hsve a talk with your doctor or midwife xxx