Is low PAPP-A in唐氏 screening due to malnutrition?

Generally, low PAPP-A levels in prenatal screening are not related to malnutrition. The specific analysis is as follows:

PAPP-A in prenatal screening refers to the concentration of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in the blood, which is used to assess whether the fetus has congenital abnormalities. During early pregnancy, PAPP-A is produced in large amounts and released into the maternal bloodstream, gradually increasing throughout gestation until delivery. Low PAPP-A levels during pregnancy may indicate chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, and further diagnostic testing such as amniocentesis is required.

If fetal Down syndrome is diagnosed, it may lead to physical and mental developmental problems. The child may exhibit slow growth, characteristic facial features such as a flat face and short neck, and varying degrees of intellectual disability. The risk of such conditions increases with maternal age. Therefore, upon confirmation, timely termination of pregnancy should be considered.

Regular hospital check-ups during pregnancy are essential to detect any abnormalities in the mother or fetus promptly, thereby reducing the incidence of fetal malformations.