Part of the combined screening
PAPP-A is determined strictly at 11–14 weeks of pregnancy. A decrease in its level is associated with an increased risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities - primarily Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome. However, the indicator itself is not a diagnosis: the risk is calculated by the program based on the simultaneous assessment of PAPP-A, free β-hCG, nuchal translucency thickness by ultrasound, maternal age, gestational age and a number of other parameters. A separate value of PAPP-A is the prediction of pregnancy complications: its low level with a normal fetal karyotype is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth, which allows for more careful monitoring to be planned in advance.
How to prepare to donate blood
- on an empty stomach 8–12 hours, you can drink water
- Eliminate alcohol and intense exercise per day
- no smoking in an hour
- donate blood before physiotherapy, x-rays and massage
- Take medications in advance by agreeing with your doctor
How to read the result
Reference values depend on the method and equipment of the laboratory, so it is correct to compare results only within the same laboratory. A deviation of a few percent from the normal limit in itself rarely matters - the overall picture and dynamics are important.
The analysis must be interpreted by a doctor: an isolated indicator without a clinical context is often misleading and leads to unnecessary examinations.