Low PAPP-A only concern in results

[EJL2026]

Hi all,

I have been for the NIPT today after receiving a phone call 10 days after scan/bloods informing me I am high risk.
I Am 30 years old, fit and healthy, not over weight, good bmi, don’t smoke, and also had a healthy pregnancy 8 years ago resulting in a very happy and healthy baby boy weighing 8lb11oz. No issues whatsoever in that pregnancy albeit I opted out of any testing as I didn’t see a risk.

my results for this pregnancy are as follows at 11+2
age 30
CRL 46mm (in range)
NT 0.90mm (normal)
hCGb 0.69 MoM (no concerns raised)
PAPP-A 0.12 ( extremely low)

I have been given a
1:51 chance of Downs
1:40 chance of Edwards/Patau’s
Which was converted into 2% chance (meaning 97% chance there is nothing wrong)

I was as expected extremely shocked by this result and understandably petrified. I feel better after speaking with the screening professional today whilst having my NIPT however my question is why are my risk levels so High when all my numbers and the scan were completely normal apart from the PAPP-A?? Is it more likely that I may just have a placenta issue which from research states generally doesn’t cause any problems and with extra care almost all women have normal healthy pregnancies with some babies just being on the slightly smaller side or delivered slightly earlier?

I have been put on 150 of aspirin and already booked in for extra growth scans from 22 weeks so I guess I’m just looking for some reassurance as my PAPP-A level is extremely low!!

thank you ☺️

Sorry you’re feeling so worried. I’ve had a tricky pregnancy with loads of growth scans and I remember the feeling.

just wanted to offer some anecdotal tale. My close friend was similar with everything perfect and in good health, but a low PAPP-A. Her baby was born on time but was little (just over 5lb). He’s a happy healthy lad still.
I know it’s hard not to worry but worrying won’t help the outcome. Your growth scans will help give reassurance. I hope everything goes well for you.

I had low Papp A and no other risk factors and like you took the aspirin as advised. My little boy was born two days before his due date at exactly eight pounds after a very uneventful pregnancy. I think they’ve only recently (as in the last ten years) started to test for it so millions of women will have unknowingly had it and delivered perfectly healthy babies, try not to worry

I also read about placenta issues and asked to see my placenta and discussed it with the midwife and she said it looked perfect

Sorry to bombard you but just remembering it all! I read a lot of the research and in some trusts they prescribe cods liver oil as an alternative to aspirin so I took both

I was given a 1:10 chance of Down Sundrome when my only risk factor was low Pap-A. Baby was born on due date weighting 8lbs with no health issues.

I also had a very low Papp-a (0.14) and 1/13 chance of Down syndrome. My waters broke at 34 weeks and baby born at 35 weeks via emergency c-section after heavy bleeding. Honestly it was a very stressful time but ultimately everything worked out fine and baby was born healthy without the need for NICU. She was 4lbs at birth and now, at 2yrs old she is in the 98th centile for weight and 99th for height 😊

Hello, I had low Papp-a in both my pregnancies and high risk for downs and Edwards/Pataus in my second pregnancy. Both were normal, mostly uncomplicated pregnancies and two healthy, fat little girls. It’s a risk factor not a diagnosis. There is a really good support group on fb (low Papp-a support or something)