Low PAPP-A and high DS risk

[LDoug]

Hey everyone

I've just had my 12 week scan and screening results and have been flagged as a high DS risk (1 in 78). As I'm sure many of you have experienced, this is really worry especially after such an intense (but very kind and helpful) conversation talking about options.

My PAPP-A levels seem very low (1.551) and the midwife has suggested this is likely a large factor in pushing me into the high risk numbers for DS.

What is a high beta HCG level? Mine is 1.6 and I wasn't sure if this was high or not.

My nuchal translucency seems ok at 1.6 (with a CRL of 63.7 at 12 weeks +4).

Has anybody had PAPP-A levels as low as 1.5 and what if any complications did this cause during your pregnancy?

Frustratingly because of the bank holiday its going to be an anxious 2 week wait to have the NIPT testing and results!

Hi,

This is a bit of a delayed response.

I hope your pregnancy is going well?

I message in the hope of giving you some reassurance.

I too had a low PAPP-A score (I don't recall the score) but, it was low. Myself and my partner were both 36 at the time and this was our 3rd pregnancy, sadly we lost our 2nd early. We also scored 1: 47 for DS and chose to get further testing- our son came back clear.

I remember reading research papers, reading through every mumsnet posts, asking my auntie who's a midwife what it all means. Going through a pregnancy during a pandemic is stressful enough, but hearing and not fully understanding what the low papp-a score meant totally took away the experience of being pregnant.

We ended up having growth scans every 2 weeks, our midwife was concerned about our son's stomach circumference and I was measuring tiny! Our son was born 6lb and a 1/4 oz. He was perfect.

At 2 weeks old HV was concerned his head circumference had a major leap and wanted the GP to check- turns out hubby's family all have big head haha. At his next HV appointment he caught up on his weight and length.

10 weeks old our son started rolling, 5 weeks old now and he's sitting. He is an absolute chunk! An absolute delight, so advanced and strong- way bigger and stronger than his older brother at that age!

Please enjoy your pregnancy, enjoy this special time. Go to those appointments and try not to worry. Please don't be like me crying myself to sleep. I worried myself sick...for no reason! X

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're having a stressful time. Pregnancy can be such a worrying time. I had a low PAPP-A score in my last pregnancy, can't remember the exact score but it was quite a bit lower than it should have been. I had growth scans and was told to take aspirin (not sure if they have spoke to you about this yet) because of this and previous preeclampsia. When they looked on my notes for my previous pregnancy, they said the PAPP-A score was also low but it has only become a more recent thing that they monitor. Both babies born healthy at good weights.

Hope all goes well for you.

Hi there. I’ve been through this twice now. It’s horrendous. I was 1 in 33, then 1 in 138 with my 2nd child.
My Papp-a was low both times at 0.4. My HCG was 1.9 & nuchal was normal at 1.8mm.

I think I’m just something who’s bloods will always be like that. I had the NIPT both times, both with lower risk. Try not to worry, I know it’s hard.