Low PAPPA levels. Should I worry?

[rightontime]

I have recieved a letter saying that the blood taken at my 12week scan showed low PAPPA levels and could lead to slow growth of the baby. I am now 14+3 now and am a bit worried. This is my 3rd baby and I have never had the nuchal test before.

I quickly googled low PAPPA and was completely confused with all the medical jargon that came up.

Please can someone explain to me in simple terms what causes PAPPA to be low. I barely ate from conception to 13 weeks due to vomiting could that cause low levels? The baby was measuring exactly right for dates at the 12week scan.

Also what implication does it have? What will I need to do to make sure my baby is ok?

Please someone give me some reassurance as this letter doesn't give me any clues as to how worried I need to be and has just said they will do an additional check at the 20weeks scan.

Just to add that my DS risk was 1:160 the cut of for testing is 1:150 and I am 24. Not sure whether I should be wanting further tests or not...

That should be cut of for further testing

PAPP-A is a protein released in pregnancy. Low levels are found in some chromosomal abnormalities such as Downs. This will have been taken into account when giving you your risk score - only you can make the call as to whether you want further tests or not.

PAPP-A has been seen to be associated with early miscarriage, high blood pressure, growth restriction, preterm birth and poor pregnancy outcomes. Not all pregnancies will suffer any or all of these but the team looking after you will maybe want to monitor you a little more closely than normal.

We've only recently measured it, so thousands of pregnancies will have progressed non the wiser, and many will have been absolutely fine.

Thanks for your reply. i have also posted in the test choices section and have a few more replies over there. i was just unsure as to what it would mean for the baby to have slow growth, pre term birth, low birth weight etc. don't really know how bad those things are or if they are all quite 'normal' these days with good outcomes.