High risk Down’s syndrome- low Papp A? Could someone translate my combination results?

[sewingmamma23]

Hi all I was called yesterday to say my Combi blood test had flagged up as a high risk of DS so I went straight in to have a NIPT test done.

My midwife said that the concern was more than likely due to low Papp A levels (she circled them for me) she specifically said she wasn’t concerned about my HGC levels.

After consulting Dr Google and falling down a rabbit hole it looks to me that my HGC levels seem to be on the high side as well?

Can anyone break down for me what these results are as I’m finding it very hard just by typing numbers into google 🙈

On a side note she prescribed Asprin for the Papp A. I’m a massive over thinker by nature and this is all really freaking me out I thought I’d be handling it better than this to be honest. I’m trying very hard not to dive too deep online but I really can’t help it!

Thanks in advance to help help or advice give xx

The aspirin prescription is normal for a low PappA result, something about prevention of pre-eclampsia.
You can just pick up baby aspirin off the shelf, by the way, no need for prescriptions, it's dirt cheap!

Not sure of your age but that can also majorly affect the chance rating for Downs.

I'm sure you'll have the NIPT results back soon and hopefully your mind will be at rest again!

Ok, so multiple of median means that 1 is the middle of the range i.e. the further your results are from 1 the more unusual they are. If I remember correctly higher HCG and lower PAPPa is associated with Downs Syndrome, whereas both low gives you a higher risk score for Edwards and Patau. You should be offered a non invasive test like Harmony to give you a better picture of the chromosomal situation.

But the overwhelming majority of babies with these numbers will not have any chromosonal issues. Sometimes these numbers can be a sign of other issues, specifically low PAPPa can be linked to placental issues which can lead to pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. Taking aspirin helps improve blood flow and thus counteract any placental issues and you should get extra growth scans.

I had low PAPPa (0.17 MoM so worse than yours) and didn't get the recommendation to take aspirin until quite late on. I was one of the unlucky ones; did develop pre-eclampsia and DD was a tiny bit growth restricted, but all now well with both of us. Im sure that, like previous Mumsnet posts on the topic, other people who have been in the same situation will be along with stories of having been unaffected.

It's a stressful time so I hope this helps.

It will be you papp a is below 0.40ml and a slightly higher Hcg (I think they say 1ml is average) as well as your age that’s giving the higher number. The NT measurement seems fine.
my results were very similar to this and my nipt came back low risk.

easy to say now I’ve been through it and also went down a google rabbit hole, but don’t worry.