Low PAPP-A levels found on nt scan/Ips screening

angmac31

Hello, I'm 17 weeks +3 days pregnant and I recently got my NT scan or some ppl call it IPS scan results. The test for down syndrome and other illnesses. My over all report said I was not in the high risk category however I had low PAPP-A levels. This stands for  Pregnancy associated plasma protein. Never heard of this before and apparently is a newer test but most common risks are pre term labour, low birth rate, pre eclampsia, still birth and more. My dr didn't seem too worried but she did say I would be monitored monthly to see how much blood is flowing to the placenta. Obviously I'm a little worried and did the google thing (mistake) but realize there is nothing much I can do. This test was taken at around 12 weeks so a lot could have changed. I started forcing myself to sleep on my left side and am trying to eat more protein but I do not even know if it will make a difference. Anyone heard of this before and have any advise? 

courtneybrooke921

I've never heard of this before but I wanted to let you know I'm sorry you are dealing with any stress. It's so scary getting any sort of strange diagnosis but if your doctor doesn't seem too concerned, try to go with that.

With my daughter, at the anatomy scan I was found to have placenta previa and a chrorrid plexus cyst on her brain. I FREAKED out and googled/researched/cried my eyes out. Two weeks later I had another ultrasound and it was found the cyst was GONE and my previa had slightly moved. I ended up having a C-Section due to placenta previa but it worked out perfectly and my DD is amazing and healthy.

 Hang in there, stress free, focus on you -- and stay away from GOOGLE

eleventhirty

I had low PAPP-A with DD.  It pretty much went the way you described it; OB wasn't overly concerned but I spent a lot of sleepless nights worrying.  The only thing that changed in my treatment was that I had a growth u/s at 32 weeks to check on DD's development.  Everything was fine, and she was born at 41 weeks measuring 7.43 lbs and 20.5 in.  I'm so sorry you're dealing with so much stress, but please try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy.  

JaiteJanerico

I have low Papp-A also (5th percentile).  When the genetic counselor was giving me the results last week, she kept saying over and over "this is nothing to worry about", " you shouldn't worry", "there's nothing you can do", etc. She said I'll need to get a third trimester scan to make sure the baby's growing on schedule. From what I gathered from our conversation is that basically low Papp-A means we're at a slightly higher risk for having low birth weight babies.  (On a side note: I find it weird b/c each u/s I've had my baby was either ahead of my EDD or right on target.)  Anyway, she said there is nothing I can do to increase my Papp-A and nothing I could have done to cause it to be low.  From what I read online, Papp-A is a loose science on determining low birth weight and that using it as a determinate is a relatively new practice.  So I am choosing to fight my urge to freak out, troll the internet, and analyze everything.  My 16 week appointment is next week, and I plan on talking to my OB about it. 

st.augbride

I just got my results back and my PAPP-A was low as well. All the other levels were good, so I did not screen high-risk for genetic issues. However, ds was born with very severe growth restriction, so this was honestly my main concern. They did a side by side comparison of #s for me and with ds, all my numbers were bad, in addition to low PAPP-A. My T21 risk last time was 1:110. This time it was 1:250 but when they added in th eNT results it was 1:5000. But with that PAPP-A, I will definitely make sure they do all the extra monitoring for growth restriction and placental issues (doppler monitoring of uterine arteries, which they're already doing). Low PAPP-A increases the liklihood that there are placental issues, but the predictive value positive is very low, meaning that of those who screen with a low PAPP-A, only a small percentage go on to have problems from it, and the lower the PAPP-A, the more likely this is.

angmac31

Thanks for the info. I wish I knew my numbers from my first pregnancy, I have a healthy 2 half yr old. Curious if Papp-a was low then as well. I had a molar pregnancy after my first and am now 17 weeks pregnant. Was hoping for only good news but can't control that. I'm going for my anatomy scan tuesday, very anxious for that. Also measured ahead on my previous u/s. Then I will be doing the monitoring in my 22nd week . Will update later. Good luck to everyone! 

RuthieS6

My NT scan results came back the same as yours.  I talked to my OB this week and she said there is nothing to worry about and she in all her years hasn't seen anyone with a low PAPP-A have any growth problems.  She things it is a loosely based connection and said not to worry.  If anything, I just get more U/S to keep an eye on things.  I felt much better after talking with her.