Very low Papp-a and higher risk of Down syndrome

I had this too with low papp-a and it’s very stressful being told that and having to wait for the results of the NIPT testing for Downs and other possible syndromes. Try to remember that when they say you have a high risk, it’s higher than without these factors but it’s probably still more likely than not that everything will be fine. Have they given you an odds? I remember mine was something like 1 in 80, so I told myself that means 79 in 80 chance everything is fine and that made me feel a lot better whilst waiting for results. For the rest of the pregnancy, the low Papp-a did cause some stress because the baby didn’t grow much so we had lots of scans - which was both reassuring and stressful, because looking so regularly caused the doctors to see various things to investigate which all turned out fine. Towards the end of the pregnancy she grew better and was born 38 weeks totally fine and not too small either. They’ll advise you to take aspirin which I did and would recommend

Hiya, I had the same thing after my 12 week scan. I had the NIPT test which is much more accurate for downs syndrome and it came back fine. They put me on aspirin for the low Papp-a and are just monitoring but I’m 21 weeks now and baby is doing great! x

I also had low Papp-A and I had an NIPT test privately and got the results in five days. All my results came back negative. I called back and spoke to the NHS midwife, she told me that the 1 in 100 results are all based on statistics, so as they told you BMI, age etc. my pregnancy was IVF and I’m in my mid 30s so this put me in the bracket of higher chance of my baby having a syndrome. It was nothing to do with my blood results as they won’t test that until you come back as high risk statistically. That’s when you are offered the NIPT OR Harmony test. Try not to worry, have the NIPT test and go from there. The NHS don’t provide these to everybody unless you fall into the bracket as they are expensive. I became so worried that I booked a private one for the next day for £500 as I was told the result would take two weeks with the NHS. But as I say, I was absolutely fine 🫶

Should have added I now have a very health 8 month old! X

@Francesca thank you for your reply 🥹 so as they told me on the phone she either said 1:30 or 1:130 as I was so panicked I couldn’t catch it. I know she said Papp-a was 0.20 though. How low was your Papp-a. I’ve researched it a lot now and it seems if it’s even in the 30s it’s fine but lower than that is a lot more concerning. I just can’t stop worrying and crying all day 😭I have an appointment tomorrow for the NIPT test. My BMI falls just into the obese section so she said that along with the low Papp-a and my age doesn’t help 😭 glad to hear your positive story and that everything turned out okay 🙏🏼❤️

@Leah thank you for replying. That’s interesting that it’s just based on the statistical model and they haven’t measured anything yet. Do you remember how low your Papp-a was ? Yes me too, she also asked if I ever smoked and I did but years ago in uni! I have the NIPT tomorrow. I’m just so scared and worried and can’t stop crying 😭she said it should take a week to get the results so hopefully it will be okay 😭 aww lovely your story has calmed me down a bit but it’s so hard not to be in full panic mode 🙏🏼❤️

My BMI was the same and I’m 37 so age was a factor too. I can’t remember/find the exact Papp-A figure anymore I’m afraid. Even if it is 1/30 though, that is a 96.6% chance everything is fine ❤️ keeping everything crossed for you and hopefully they get you your results quickly

Really sorry I also can’t remember what my result was and I can’t find anything I’ve written down. The hospital called me and discussed it with me over the phone as, so I don’t have anything writing. Owh, I know it’s really hard not to worry. I remember being exactly the same and I came on here, joined this group and asked questions. I panicked so much I spent well over what I should have. I think the problem is that I hadn’t heard of it before, I’ve since found out they only started testing for low Papp-a 2.5 years ago. Honestly, the chances are that you’ll get the result and be more angry that they worried you into this oblivion. I was put onto 150 mg of aspirin and then I had to have growth scans. My baby was born three weeks early and weighed a very healthy 6 1/2lbs. I completely understand you will be in full panic mode, I was there at 13 weeks and it was awful. Fingers crossed for you, I'm sure it will all be positive news 🫶