XP: Low PAPP-A from 1st trimester scan

blondie10m

I got my NT scans results back last Friday right before leaving for vacation.  They said my risk for Downs/Tri13/18 was low but my PAPP-A levels were slightly low but many women have the same levels and it is normal for them and have perfectly normal pregnancies. They said this can be a predictor of placental problems and indicate future IUGR.  They indicated I probably at least need extra growth U/S at 28 and 35 weeks.  I had a 8.5 lb boy for my first PG so no issues for the first.

So of course I go on Dr. Google and see both good outcomes and bad outcomes from this and then talk to my OB who said I'm in the 5th percentile.  That doesn't sound a little low, that sounds way low to me.  He said, the 1st percentile is considered low.  And basically there is nothing I can do other than wait.  Said I can continue to exercise and should just eat healthy, which I already do.

But I'm a natural worrier and feel like this is going to constantly be on my mind until I have a healthy baby in my arms.  Did anyone have this and baby seems to be growing sufficiently late in the pregnancy?

Cristine

I was diagnosed with this after the NT scan also. This is my 3rd baby and my two older boys were both 8.5 lbs. I didn't do the NT scan with my older kids so they said that it could just be normal for me. Basically it's meant lots of extra ultrasounds. They've made me come in every 4 weeks since the 20 week anatomy scan. Honestly its starting to get on my nerves. They want my next appointment to be at 38 weeks and I'm having baby boy at 39 weeks. My little guy has been measuring 4 days ahead the entire pregnancy. At my 34 week appointment they estimated he's already 5.5 lbs.

 Honestly stop researching it just stresses you out. I did the same thing when I first found out and it really didn't help me much at all. My OB has told me she's really sick of hearing about low PAPP-A.. Apparently they've had a ton of people diagnosed with it and no one at their practice has had any ill effects. Good Luck!

PSU Export

Have this at 5th percentile along with free beta hcg at 5th percentile. I, like you, was sufficiently concerned. But chromosomal abnormalities seem more common at the lower percentile 1,2,3.
We have had some scary times and issues with growth, but everything seems to be on track now. At 20 weeks everything was great. 28 week scan showed short long bones in 5th percentile. They said small chance he had skeletal dysplasia or downs, even though no other markers for either. Checked again 31 weeks, diagnosed asymmetrical iugr instead. He was under 5th for abdominal circumference and femur length. Started weekly u/s to check blood flow, fluid, etc. then at 34 weeks growth was miraculously symmetrical with head, trunk, femur around 30th percentile. They said he was just on his own growth curve. Will has another growth check Friday at 37 weeks. Fingers crossed he is continuing to grow normally. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster emotionally. I'm pretty calm now that things look ok, but still skeptical.
Wishing the best for you. I don't mean to scare you with my story. Hopefully you won't be so concerned if you get weird results at any of your scans, because it seems there is a large range of normal.