Low PAPP-A Results after Nuchal Translucency Scan

[ripple]

Hi,

I have also been reading this thread with interest as my PAPP-A on the nuchal test was 0.24 MoM and the risk of Downs was 1:54 (amnio results were all clear). I'm now 37 weeks and all seems to be well, although I have been measuring small for dates all along. I have been having growth scans every 4 weeks for this reason but my OB was not at all concerned about the low PAPP-A. The last scan 3 weeks ago showed that the baby was on about 40th centile for estimated weight, which I was very happy about. Still have a really small bump though! I'm having another scan next week which will hopefully show that baby is still growing well, otherwise I might have to have an induction.

EveningRose, I was the same as you, stressing out because I was measuring way behind for fundal height, not gaining weight and the OB saying I was too small and would need US monitoring. The 2 week wait leading up to the last growth scan was horrible! Anyway it turned out there was nothing wrong so all that worry was for nothing. I hope your scan on Wednesday went well, and showed that your baby is fine.

Flowerchild, thanks for your comments about the association between low PAPP-A and placental function, I have been reading about this. I had a retroplacental haematoma and bled all through the first trimester, and wonder if this means that the development of the placenta was affected by this.

[squidipa]

ripple thanks for your encouragement in hearing your story, my scan is on oct 14th and yeah im scared we havnt even told family. I also wanted to say to you all you are so brave to go get the extra tests done im so glad they have worked out in your favor

[EveningRose]

Hi there.

Thanks everyone for your support and ripple for your encouraging story. I'm sure the last stretch will go well, and even if Bub stops growing now, you're basically full term which is great.

After messing me around and changing my appointment time a few times (and all the emotional drama that went with that) I finally got my scan, and all appears to be well. Baby is actually measuring big for dates, and everything else looked good, so all that stress for nothing. I was chatting to a midwife and she said that althought PAPP-A is linked to small babies and some other complications it is only in a small percentage of pregnancies, and that fundal height is not accurate at measuring growth.

We'll see what doc says next week, but so far everything appears to be on track.

Good Luck for your scan Squidipa, and try and keep positive and believe that your baby is growing fine.

[squidipa]

Originally Posted by EveningRose

Good Luck for your scan Squidipa, and try and keep positive and believe that your baby is growing fine.

thanks sweet

[Stella'sMum]

Hi Bridee,

Just checking in to see how things are going with your Holly. My Holly is going pretty well, she has put on good weight and now weighs 4kg at 6 weeks so she has put on 1.3 kgs since she was born. She is so placid and is just gorgeous! Hope all is going well with your Holly. What has she been doing? How many weeks old is she now? Hope you are all doing well.

Emma

[bridee]

Hi Emma,

How funny you posted this I was just thinking of you. My Holly is doing really well. She is however, in a brace for hip dysplasia but DD1 also had hip dysplasia so it is no big deal for us. Holly's isn't as bad as DD1 so hoping she won't be in the brace for too long (hoping for only 6wks but if it is longer that's ok - far better now than when she is older).

Holly is putting on good weight - she's in the 25th% percentile. Sleeps over night anywhere from 6-10hrs but generally about 8.

Life can be challenging with 2 at times but DD1 just loves her sister so haven't had to deal with any jealously issues.

[squidipa]

Originally Posted by EveningRose

Good Luck for your scan Squidipa, and try and keep positive and believe that your baby is growing fine.

thanks rose,

hi everyone had my scan and dr check up Its a boy, and the heart could not be properly checked due to bubs position so will be redone in 2 weeks and in 6 weeks another growth scan. This growth scan indicated that the head is small. but over all they said i am on 18-19 weeks so i guess thats good but i am concerned about the head.

dr said with my prolaps and the low pap a bed rest also she said that i could go anytime. My concentration is not good nor memory to re read. so can you if ya dont mind tell me whom with a low pappa delivered early and at what stage of pregnancy?

thanks

[squidipa]

thought ild share my % centiles with ya
BPD 32nd%
OFD 6th%
HC 14%
TCD 23%
AC 48%
FL 49%
humerous lengh 26%

there were other measurements taken just not put into a percentile why is that? is these results good for 18 weeks 5 day?

[Inanna]

I am a bit confused Squid. Did you say because you have a vaginal prolapse and low papp-A you have been put on bed rest?

Statistically low Papp-A puts you at higher risk of a growth delayed baby. The placenta doesn't last as long and early delivery can be rerquired. You will see though colloquially that isn't always the case (nor is it statistically!).

Really it's a matter of waiting and seeing. It will be great to get a good cardiac u/s done so they can rule out that issue.'

Have you been referrred to a specialist about your vaginal prolapse? There are things that can be done to help you through the pregnancy. If you haven't been referred ask to be.

Congratulations on another little boy...

[squidipa]

Originally Posted by Inanna

I am a bit confused Squid. Did you say because you have a vaginal prolapse and low papp-A you have been put on bed rest?


Really it's a matter of waiting and seeing. It will be great to get a good cardiac u/s done so they can rule out that issue.'

Have you been referrred to a specialist about your vaginal prolapse? There are things that can be done to help you through the pregnancy. If you haven't been referred ask to be.

Congratulations on another little boy...

thanks for the congratulations

this would be my 3rd prolaps during pregnancy so im an old hen at it haha i have previously had a ventro suspension done and a support belt stablises my pelvis but does not lift the uterus and a pressesarie ring does not help as it basically pushes directly out of me. I will continue seeing a physio during this pregnancy. After seeing specialists in the past i know there is nothing at this stage that can help. I have never had a prolaps this bad this early on so thats why the drs at the hospital has said to rest as much as possible and only do what i have to do as it is already at a point where its casueing a lot of discomfort and its protruding out side my opening.

in 2 weeks we will re do the ehart so hopefully we get an all clear on that!

oops edit yes a low papp-a and yes prolaps

[Stella'sMum]

Hi,
I had my baby by elective caesarean at 39 weeks so she did not come early. She was small at birth but has grown teriffically on the outside.
All the best
Emma

[bridee]

From what I was told with low papp a if the growth is being restricted due to low papp a the head will be larger than the rest of the body because our bodies magically know that it is important for the brain to develop so the head has priority over the rest of the body.

I made it to 37weeks, this is when DD stopped growing. At one stage it looked like we would have to deliver at 32wks but then things improved so we could go longer.

[squidipa]

thanks girls for your quick responce

[alexsandra]

Hi,

i have stumbled across this site also and am glad i did.

My results were

Nt: 1.4
Papp-a: 0.4
HCG: 1.6

we were quite concerned about these results but the OB assured us not to be too concerned and the only thing that may happen is we may have a baby with a low birth weight. But still these results were enough to get us worried, we have been stressed and reading these posts has helped.

Based on the results does anyone have any feedback? Are we worrying for nothing?

thanks

[Stella'sMum]

Hi alexsandra,

I know exactly how you are feeling. But I am pleased to tell you that you should stop worrying! I started this thread wanting to hear about the pregnancy outcome of people with low PAPP-A. My little girl was 2.78kg (6 pounds 3 ounces) when she was born (via elective caesarean at 39 weeks) and is now 4 months old and in the 75th percentile for size. I actually posted a thread today wondering if she was growing too fast - oh the things we worry about. She had no trouble after she was born and has gone from strength to strength. She is a happy and healthy baby, and touch wood she stays that way. Try to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, a little baby doesn't mean they are unhealthy in any way.

Emma

and by the way, your low PAPP-A score isn't as low as mine was.

[alexsandra]

Hi Emma,

thanks so much for your reply, im glad to hear your little girl is doing great! it was just a shock to get the results, we were not expecting to hear anything like that.

The scan was perfectly fine but then they give you your blood work and it all changes and thats when you start thinking the worst. I almost wish i never had the combined blood test and just did the scan, the stress that has come with it is almost not worth it.

Im just glad to hear others in the same situation have done well which gives me hope that all will be well for me too.

Thanks again hope everything continues to go well for you and your little girl

[Stella'sMum]

Hi,

Bridee, just wondering how things are going with your Little Holly. I was just thinking today how bizarre it was that we both had low papp-a, SUA and called our gorgeous girls Holly!
My litlle Holly is going really well. She now weighs over 7kg! She is still a bit short though at 61cm and so there are some awesome fat rolls on her!
Just thought I'd see what your little Holly is up to. My Holly loves to sit up and play and coo, but still totally hates tummy time!
Keep in touch,
Emma

[KarenW]

hi ladies,

i am so glad to find this thread. i have very much enjoyed hearing about everyone's experience with the low papp-a.

i am having quite the week here...very low papp-a blood test lead me to do an amniocentesis on tuesday. however, in addition to all that, i am having the complication of amniotic fluid leak from the amnio. i had a lot of fluid rush out on wednesday afternoon, and went into the OB office for a scan. still enough fluid and baby was ok, but put on bedrest. not much more has leaked out, no fever, so i am hopeful that that will heal.

i am still resting and anxiously awaiting my FISH results to rule out downs.