Low PAPP A results

[KateW]

Hi all. I'm nearly 14 weeks pregnant and have just found out that I have low PAPP A results (from the blood tests they did at the dating scan). My risk of Downs is low, but these results suggest increased risk of low birth weight, premature baby and pre-eclampsia. I have to have an extra scan at 23 weeks and 32 weeks so they can monitor the blood flow to the baby etc.

Has anyone else had low PAPP A? If so, how was your pregnancy and birth? I'm just trying to reassure myself...

(Edited to remove over zealous use of 'pre' in pre-eclampsia)

[ClaireinSE22]

Hi Kate,

I had low PAPP A and low Hcg....was offered CV sampling at 20 weeks, declined due to previous miscarriages but did get extra scans and was v. anxious for whole 9 months. Didn't have any problems in pregnancy, BP bit high during labour and for a week after but baby is 6 months+ now and absolutely gorgeous. The consultant Ob. at Kings told me sometimes these low hormone readings mean nothing at all.

Hope everything works out for you.

Claire x

[Fuschia]

Not experience of that, but having twins I wae under Kings for growth scans and blood flow, esp towards the end when twin I stopped growing... and I had mild pre-eclampsia for which I was admitted. Scary to be considered high risk but despite our grouches about waiting times and rude receptionists, the standard of care at King's is excellent and they have a lot of experience with this monitoring.

x

[poppy]

I had extremely low PAPP A and was told I had a 1 in 60 chance of trisomies 13 or 18 despite my risk of down's syndrome being low. I was also told that the low PAPP A, combined with 'lakes' in my placenta, may have been due to an underdeveloped placenta which could lead to low birth weight, still birth or miscarriage. It was completely devastating news at the time so you have my every sympathy. However, none of monthly growth scans throughout my pregnancy indicated any abnormality at all and my gorgeous son was born in December, completely perfect.

I made a couple of tearful telephone calls to the consultants at King's who were really fantastic at explaining things to me - it was too much to take in at the scan itself and once I'd digested it I realised I had lots of questions. They were so kind and seemed really happy to talk things over, including the options for amnio / CVS etc.

I also found it helpful to remind myself that 1) a 1/60 chance of something wrong meant a 59/60 chance of things being fine; 2) most hospitals don't even offer those blood tests so had I been elsewhere I would have been none the wiser; and 3) the team at King's are world experts in foetal medicine - if anything was wrong, it was the best place to be.

I hope this reassures you a bit! It's just awful coming away from that first scan with scary news, but hopefully, and very probably, all will be fine. The monthly scans really helped put my mind at rest that nothing was wrong and meant I was able to enjoy my pregnancy more and more despite those few horrible weeks. I hope the same happens to you!

[poppy]

Just reread your post and realised I may not have answered your questions despite my ramblings above! I didn't get any sign of pre-eclampsia, my baby was born full term and he wasn't low birth weight. The labour and birth were completely fine too!

[franster]

Hi I had low Papp a and was told all this and had a CVS and the baby was normal. I then carried to full term with no problems at all so try not to worry - and dont read up on the internet!! XX

[KateW]

Thank you ladies, that has made me put things into perspective a bit. Great tip Franster; I'm going to ditch looking up things on the internet, it's way too scary!

[fhmum]

In case you need further reassurance, my six month old is (for now) sleeping peacefully in the other room. I had very low PAPP A with him but all went well. Good luck and i'll second that advice about avoiding internet diagnoses.