Normal US but low PAPP-A & low free beta hcg--Trisomy 18 risk?????

[Hope]

I would love to hear from anyone who's been in the same boat & what their outcomes were. I am 34 years of age & currently 13 weeks 5 days preg with bub no. 3. After a "normal" first tri screening scan with NT results of 1.4mm and a detected nasal bone I have been informed that I have an increased risk of Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) due to my bloods results-- free beta hcg 0.364 MoM and PAPP-A 0.323 MoM which are obviously both very low. This gives me an adjusted risk of 1:267 and an amnio has been suggested. My first two preg.s (boys) had risks in the tens of thousands so I am quite shocked by these results. I was very ill with a horrible gastro bug in the days immediately before my blood test and wonder if this would affect my results??
I would love to hear from anyone who's had a similar result and what their outcome was.
Cheers and thanks in advance.

[LionsandBears]

I don't have personal experience but a friend had a low PAPP-A result. She had a CVS and everything was fine with bub. Mum and Dad were stressed out of their minds.

I don't know if being sick would affect the results - can you ask a doctor about it? Are you going public? If so, can you talk to a genetic counsellor about your options?

GL and I hope you have support.

[Amity]

Low PAPP-A can be associated with a number of different conditions. I'm not sure whether being ill would affect the results, though. I'd check with your specialist.

[Hope]

Thanks for taking the time to reply guys. Obgyn. was good and was happy to answer my millions of questions, he knows my anxious nature from my last two preg.s! He also showed me bub on his little US machine and it was kicking around having a lovely time which was quite comforting to see. Amnio has been scheduled for March 28 at QLD Ultrasound for Women-- it just seems like an eternity away at this stage. I don't know how I'll manage to hide my bump for another 3-4 weeks whilst we wait on results, etc as this is now my third (fifth with m/c) pregnancy! I have heaps of support but would dearly love to hear other women's Amnio/ Tri 18 stories.

[ferrals5]

Low pappA can also be a sign of placenta not working so good we had a bad NT and the BT we were given a 1 in 2 chance of something wrong the doctors told us all senerio's and one of them was a not so great placenta can cause the low blood levels in our case it was bub who had a genetic condition but as your U/S was normal that is a good sign it might just be the placenta and what the doctor said to me it means it could effects bubs growth so they have to keep an eye on it and hope it rectifies itself or if not they take bub a bit early.
I hope yours is just the levels were a bit off.

[sandy2011]

Hi Hope,

My case is similar to yours. My age is 34 years;
I had my 12 Week U/S which has given me measurement of 1.1mm of NT ; Nasal born was present.The results of Blood tests done on the beginning of 11th week was

PAPP-A 0.36 MoM
and Free Beta Hcg 0.30 MoM.
The radiologist explained me that ,though I have a normal NT based on the serum screening I have a risk of 1 in 216 of Trisomy 18;

Did you go for an Amino; If done how was your results??
The placenta formation based on U/S was normal; The radiologist said there is no markers for Trisomy -18 on scan????

I am worried on my serum readings???????????
Ladies your thoughts and experiences on this will be appreciated.

[Hope]

Hi Sandy!
I am so sorry that I am only now getting back to you. I stopped checking after there were no replies earlier on. Our situations were very similar indeed. We had specialist scans at both 16 & 20 weeks and were advised not to have the amnio as the 3D scans showed no abnormalities & that the risks of losing the baby because of the amnio were far greater than the risks of the baby having Edwards. I am now 32+ weeks and have just had a growth scan showing that all is within normal range, estimated fetal weight was 1.8kg.
How have you gone with your test results so far? I hope all is well and you are both growing bigger by the day! I would love to hear how you have fared if you do read this.

[sandy2011]

Hi Hope,

Sorry for the late reply.
I am glad to learn that you are going very well.
I am now 24 weeks and everything going well.My little boy weighs 530gm which is normal to 24 weeks.Had 3 scans so far every thing is absolutely normal.Wish you all the best with the delivery.I am so excited and waiting to hear from you the happy news soon!!!!!!!:

[moochi]

Hi Both,

I hope everything went well with your babies.

I am in the same situation right now, US is great but PAPP-A and free beta HCG are both low low. Esp. the PAPP-A is extremely low till 0.200 MoM.

This makes me so worried about not only the Trisomy 18 but the other complications that may come with the low PAPP-A value.

I'd really like to hear more on how your pregnacy journeys were and how your babies are doing right now?

[Hope]

Hi guys,
I realise this thread has not been a well visited one but wanted to drop in to ease the minds of others finding themselves in this situation. My little man was born 7 days early via c-section & weighed 6lb 13oz. He is perfectly healthy apart from having Silent Reflux (which my number 1 son had as well) but my placenta was getting a tad dodgy looking by 39 weeks & he needed to be on the "outside"!! Moochi--I hope your journey is not too stressful & that you can be reassured by scans throughout your preg.
Cheers,
Hope.

[moochi]

Hi Hope,

Thanks so much for your sharing. How wonderful to learn that your boy is normal and healthy .
I think I should just stop worrying and get myself up and ready to the bumpy preg journey ahead.

[Kazzo]

DH cousin gave birth to a beautiful baby boy yesterday after a very scary start. Very similar story to the ladies in here. She had okay scan results, but really bad blood test results. Had the Amnio and that came back all good. Now her little boy is here and all is good

Goodluck Moochi, your right, try and enjoy your journey