Low Papp-A?

Pacheco825

The nurse at maternal-fetal medicine called me last night about my sequential screening and told me I had low papp-a. They said that normaly it means that there is a low birth weight, and can mean the placenta is not producing enough nutrients. Then I googled it, mistake #1! It talked about the increased risk of still born babies, preterm labor, hypertension, ect. They are going to have me go for more ultrasounds as I get further along to monitor babies growth. Called my Dr. after googling it and am waiting on a call back.Anyone else have Low papp-a? If so, what did your Dr. say?

tosh24

I have a borderline PAPP-A level (0.4). I haven't started seeing my OB yet (generally in Canada you see your family doctor until 24-28 weeks), so my doctor didn't say too much other than it could mean placental insufficiency later on in the pregnancy (which I took to mean low birth weight, growth restrictions, pre-term labour, etc.). She consulted with my OB (who I start seeing in September) and he ordered a doppler of the placenta and umbilical cord to look at the blood vessels and blood flow. I have that next week. He also said that once I see him he'll order some additional u/s in the 3rd tri to monitor growth. They didn't seem too worried since my level is borderline, and we have no idea what it was with DD since the correlation between PAPP-A levels and placental insufficiency hadn't been discovered yet when I was pregnant with her (5 years ago).

I hope everything works out well for you!

Annya26

I'm sorry that I have no information to share on this, but thought I would suggest trying the high risk board? Maybe someone over there is dealing with something similar??

Good luck!! 

lewis514

I have a borderline low Papp-A. It can lead to lower birth weights or IUGR so my OB will have me have more u/s in 3rd tri to watch the growth, which I was going to have anyway bc of my prior loss. I start growths scans at 24 weeks which is when they could intervene if needed.

When I asked OB about it, he said the only thing he has seen beside this as a side effect was a later 1st trimester loss at 13/14 weeks. Since I was 17 weeks when I saw him, he said he was concerned about that as I had passed that issue.

ImAnRN

I also have low papp-a at .36. My OB says she has seen women with almost non existent papp-a, go on and have a completely normal pregnancy.

I do start growth scans at 28 weeks, but I also have a history of high blood pressure and pre eclampsia. 

ImAnRN

and now I just noticed you live in South Jersey... So do I:-) Are you delivering at Virtua by chance?

Pacheco825

ImAnRN:

and now I just noticed you live in South Jersey... So do I:-) Are you delivering at Virtua by chance?

 

Yep Virtua Memorial! I go to Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Memorial also. Are you delivering there? Which one?!? 

lewis514

Pacheco825:

ImAnRN:

and now I just noticed you live in South Jersey... So do I:-) Are you delivering at Virtua by chance?

 

Yep Virtua Memorial! I go to Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Memorial also. Are you delivering there? Which one?!? 

LOL - I am in South Jersey too! I am closer to Delaware so I go to Christiana.

Jeez - is there something in the water to lead to low Papp-A

Pacheco825

I know right! My Dr. called today and its .13 so its really low! Hoping for the best! Just bought a doppler