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Low Papp-A mom

djukedjuke
in High-Risk Pregnancy

This is my second baby.  With my son I was told he had an increased chance of down syndrome due to a thick nuchal fold and hydroneprhosis (kidneys being dialated).  All my blood tests came back normal though.  I did have an amnio with him and he was fine...now 2 years old.


With this baby (I'll be 31 weeks on Thursday), my blood tests came back fine, 1:10,000 chance, but my Papp-A mom was a bit low (.32).  This baby has similar kidney issues and also an echogenic foci on the heart.  I chose not to have an amnio this time around, but I can't stop worrying now.


Anyone have any experience with having a low Papp-A mom screen?
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Re: Low Papp-A mom

  • JulyMomma2U2JulyMomma2U2 member

    I was also told that I had low levels of Papp-A.. but, they told me all that meant is there is a chance he could have a lower birth weight, and that they'd do a growth scan around 32 weeks to check for IUGR.. however, we have been seeing MFM for other reasons, and therefore have ultrasounds every few weeks.. so far, he's measuring perfectly..

    Sorry I can't be more help.. for what it's worth, literature research shows Papp-A to be a very LOOSE biomarker for low birth weight.. it's only somethign they've recently started looking at (some cases, <5 years!).. and, the correlations aren't very strong.. when they had told me about the low papp-a levels, I searched like crazy because I was worried since w'e're already at high risk for PTL, and then low birth weight on top of that.. anyway, that's just what I found.. and, I searched medical journals (I work for a pharma company, so I have access to most journals that are not publicly available), not google.. so I know the info is credible.. 

    Maybe talk with your OB if you're still feeling unsure.. they could give you more info on what the low papp-a levels actually mean!  Hoping you get some answers!!

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  • jacque_zjacque_z member
    I had a very low (less than 5th percentile) Papp-A test result.  Everything else was within normal range.  No one seemed concerned about this.  My D ended up being born early due to my IC. 
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  • djukedjuke
    Do your remember what the actual number was?
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  • djukedjuke
    imagemissbea3:

    I was also told that I had low levels of Papp-A.. but, they told me all that meant is there is a chance he could have a lower birth weight, and that they'd do a growth scan around 32 weeks to check for IUGR.. however, we have been seeing MFM for other reasons, and therefore have ultrasounds every few weeks.. so far, he's measuring perfectly..

    Sorry I can't be more help.. for what it's worth, literature research shows Papp-A to be a very LOOSE biomarker for low birth weight.. it's only somethign they've recently started looking at (some cases, <5 years!).. and, the correlations aren't very strong.. when they had told me about the low papp-a levels, I searched like crazy because I was worried since w'e're already at high risk for PTL, and then low birth weight on top of that.. anyway, that's just what I found.. and, I searched medical journals (I work for a pharma company, so I have access to most journals that are not publicly available), not google.. so I know the info is credible.. 

    Maybe talk with your OB if you're still feeling unsure.. they could give you more info on what the low papp-a levels actually mean!  Hoping you get some answers!!

     

    Thank you, I appreciate it.

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  • AussiemummyAussiemummy member
    I was also told my Papp-A level is a bit low and I'll have to go back at 32 weeks to check on the baby's growth. The nurse I spoke to said the correlation of low birth weight and low Papp-A levels is still in the research stage. I'm trying not to worry about it.
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  • djukedjuke
    I actually went for my 33 week scan today and the baby was measure 4lbs 13oz which is a little bit big.  I do however have low amniotic fluid...I was at a 6.  So now I'll be having weekly nst's and u/s to check on everything.  The Dr. said if my fluid levels stay the way they are I could go full term, but if they drop then I'll be going early.
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